It all started around June of 2004, when I got it in my head that I had to have a tongue piercing. I had decided on the traditional vertical tongue stud, and loved the way it looked. When I told my mom what I wanted done, she was not happy, and wasn't going to let me do it. Being 18 at the time, I was going to do it anyway, but really wanted her support, so I worked on her for a while, and even cried, and she eventually caved, and told me to call a couple of places.
At A Glance Author PooBear Contact PooBear@bme.anon When Two years ago Artist Becky Studio DV8 Location Concord, Calif. I called a couple of shops, in the area, and had settled on one shop, by this time it was already July 3rd, and they had told me that the piercer was out and to call back in a hour, so I called back, and the same response. After getting that same answer all day, I gave up for the night, and was a little angry. Here I was with permission, and no piercer.
Fourth of July was fun, but I was still a little upset having getting the same response for the second day in a row. Still determined to have this done, I called DV8 and was surprised to hear that Becky the piercer was in, and that I could come in whenever I was ready. It was the 5th and I had waited TWO days to get this done. I told my mom, got my money, and headed down to DV8.
When I walked in I was really nervous, not having any other piercing, other than the basic ear holes. I met Becky, and she was very nice, and made me feel comfortable. She took me in the back room, and told me what she was going to do, and while getting out all of the tools that she was going to use, she told me what each one of them was, and what they were for. I then sat on the table, and leaned against the wall, feeling nervous, and slightly ill, she had me use some mouthwash, and told me that I was a champ, for being able to keep the mouthwash in my mouth for the whole 60 seconds, she then cleaned me all up, and dried my tongue off.
After that she marked it, told me not to worry about drooling, (which I was going to do a lot of), and put the clamps on, which hurt like hell! She proceeded to tell me that she was going to start and that was when I felt like I was going to puke, which luckily, I didn't. I closed my eyes, and expected the worst. She told me to take a deep breath in, and when I breathed out, there was a sharp pain in my tongue, that only hurt for a second.
"That was all?" I thought to myself. My mouth was very dry, and trying to get my tongue back into my mouth was kind of hard, because the barbell was so long, and a little unusual, but I managed. She asked me if everything was okay, and I tried to speak, which I would have to say is one of the weirdest feelings I have ever had, but I smiled and said, in what sounded like a drunken slur, That wasn't that bad.
That was when the trouble started. I was still sitting on the table, and Becky was going over all of the cleaning procedures with me, and I noticed that I couldn't hear very well, and I started to get dizzy. I told myself that I was still a little nervous, and would be okay in a little bit. I tried my hardest, to concentrate on what she was saying, and heard about half of it. After that I got up from the table, and walked out to the counter. I had just pulled my money out of my pocket, when it happened. My mom, who was sitting right there, said it was like I melted into the floor. When I woke up I was very sweaty, and had no idea where I was. Then it hit me, WHERE'S MY MONEY! My mom had it.
My mom picked me up and put me in one of the chairs, while Becky got me a candy bar and told me to eat it, to raise my blood sugar back up. I tried to eat it, but with the brand new addition to my mouth, I could only eat a small bite. My mom went next door and got me a soda, which was a lot easier to get down, and everything was okay.
Before I left, I got a care sheet and was told to use mouthwash after I ate, drank, or smoked anything. I thanked everyone, and walked out, completely embarrassed. My tongue was swollen, my mom was laughing, and I could not stop talking, even though it hurt so bad. The next day I woke up with a tiny bit of coagulated blood around the post. It didn't worry me at all; I pulled it off, and brushed my teeth. The second day was much better, my tongue was still swollen, but did not hurt as bad. By the third day, there was literally no pain, and the swelling had started to go down. I was still using mouthwash like crazy. I bought a little bottle to go in my purse, so I could take it with me everywhere. Eating was easier, and the barbell didn't get in the way at all. After a week, I went back in to see Becky, so she could check me out and change the barbell for a smaller one.
When she checked it all out she gave me a face, and told me that I was not cleaning it as much as I should. I was carrying mouthwash in my purse! I said I would try harder to take care of it, and she gave me a much shorter barbell. It was definitely more comfortable, and I could talk a lot easier. I didn't have any more problems after that, and it's been fine ever since.
I have had my tongue stud for two and a half years now, and I can't imagine living without it. I have since added four tattoos, and a vertical labret, and my mom has had no more objections. I have enlightened her, and she no longer sees body piercings as gross. She's gotten used to, and now shows me off to all of her friends. I have the coolest mom ever!
I would tell anyone who wants to get it done to go for it! It didn't really hurt that bad, and it healed great. No hassle at all.