Well where to start. I had my 21st birthday about a week ago, and decided that I wanted to change my appearance in some way. I've never been pierced before, and to be honest hadn't really thought about it much until, like I said, after my 21st.
At A Glance Author Nyphur Contact Nyphur@bme.anon When It just happened Artist Unknown Studio House Of David Location Leicester I've never really been a fan of ear or eyebrow piercing on other guys, so counted that out straight away. Then one of my other friends suggested getting my tongue done. After a few days thinking about it I decided to get it done (I should say now that this soon escalated into a bet between me and friends as to whether I would go through with it or not; though thats not the reason I did it).
I'd been looking on BME while doing a bit of research and had found a place that sounded good; Abody (Leicester), so decided to head over there and get it done. I took one of my friends with me who didn't want to come in, but said she would hang around for me, which was nice. Anyway we got to Abody and found that it wasn't open on a Monday, which annoyed me a bit. I knew of Kazbah which was just round the corner (again thanks to BME) so we set off to take a look. To be honest, I didn't like the look of the place at all; obviously this is just my personal feelings, but it didn't appear to be as clean as i was hoping in the general shop front (though I can't comment on the piercing room itself as I didn't get that far).
I decided that I wouldn't get the piercing done somewhere I didn't feel comfortable, and started to give up for the day. My friend suggested she called one of her mates to see where she gets her piercing done, which threw up "House Of David" (near the Haymarket Theatre for anyone who's interested, I'd never heard of it). We set off there and looked through the window, I liked what I saw.
We had a quick look at the prices on the window and went in. We were immediately acknowledged by a (rather beautiful) young lady who asked if she could help, so i said "Uhhh yeah, I'd like to get my tongue pierced please". She was very nice and said she'd be with me in a minute, as she finished putting away some jewelry. She went behind the counter and asked me to stick out my tongue, and to lift it up, which was "fine" apparently. She ran through a few quick questions about my general health (any ulcers, cold sores etc etc) then had my fill in a form. Once I'd paid my money an older looking guy, probably in his 40's came out and asked what he could do for me, and the girl told him. He said no problem and went off to prepare, with a younger guy following him.
My friend commented that the shop "smelt like a dentist", which she said negatively, but I was very pleased about; it only added to the feeling I was getting that this was a very clean place.
Less than a minute later I got called through to a piercing room (I think there were two, then a bigger room at the back, not sure what it was used for). I got told to rinse my mouth out with some diluted mouthwash, and watched as various items were put into a kidney bowl; the clamps, a fresh barbell, and sealed needle, along with bits of tissue etc. The older gent explained that while he was doing the piercing, the younger guy would be running through with me the aftercare "Partly to distract me, and partly so he learns the ropes", so I assume this younger guy was in training. After sticking out my tongue and getting it marked, the talk about aftercare started and on went the clamps. From what I've read a lot of people say this bit is horrible, but i barely felt them. Then out came the needle. I can honestly say I wasn't nervous at all until this point, but the needle made things serious for me. Again, a lot of people say this hurts, but I can't say it did for me. It was in no way comparable to what I thought it would be like - biting your tongue. There was a bit of pushing, and what felt like a little bit of heat, but that was it....then the same again when the jewelry went in. By now the talk was finished, and the piercer had me put my tongue back in my mouth. He ran through the aftercare with me again (because he says most people don't actually listen with a needle through their tongue, surprisingly...) and pointed out to the trainee some points I missed. They ran through what was good to eat, what to avoid, what to do if the piercing began bleeding heavily (i.e. how to act in an emergency) and gave me a few general do's and don'ts. He then asked me to stick my tongue back out so he could check it, which I couldn't do for some reason, it just felt weird (so he helped me out). He said it was fine, then asked if I felt ill at all (I didn't) then told me what to do if I felt queasy at all. After a bit more of a chat (including being told i could call my piercer's mobile number any time if I was worried, and being given various other methods of contact) I was off out the door, with goodbyes from everyone.
I have to say that ALL of the staff were very friendly, and talked frankly to me, and in a way I liked (i.e. telling me "don't get pissed" rather than not to drink, or saying most people "look like f***in' ET when they try and stick their tongue out and can't). Might sound offensive to some, but it was nice to be talked to on my own level.
My friend commented on how friendly everyone was too.
Afterwards I noticed immediately that my jaw was aching, but that my tongue didn't hurt. I took 2 Ibuprofen and had a few swigs of water.
That night i tried to eat some soup and yogurt. I managed it but it was slow going, and very messy. I rinsed with Listerine and brushed my teeth, and had a read through the aftercare sheet I had been given.
I went to bed about midnight thinking I was in for a rough night, but must have dropped off pretty quickly. I woke up and expected to have blood on my pillow; there wasn't anything, and the piercing looked fine still. I had a yogurt to eat (which went down better) and went to Uni. During the day my tongue swelled and became "uncomfortable", but not painful; which is how it still is now. It's bleeding TINY amounts on and off, but I'm not worried, everything looks pretty good to me.
I'm happy with it so far, just wish I'd had a big meal before hand, as the hunger is getting to me a bit now.
Overall, I'd highly recommend House Of David, and can't wait to go back and get the smaller bar put in.
Thanks guys.