Hello, my name is Chris and I have been into body-mod since I was about 15... I'm only 18 now, but through the last three years I have had all kinds of un-traditional piercings (for Tulsa, anyway), and I have 4 tattoos (2 of which are always visible.) So anyway... onto my piercing...
At A Glance Author chris Contact chris@bme.anon IAM boy When It just happened Artist not saying Studio not saying Location tulsa, ok My last attempt at a piercing was my Medusa which was an awful experience. The post was too short, I ripped it in my sleep, it swelled, the inside of my lip grew over the back of the jewelry, and had to go to the Emergency Room to get it taken out.. which cost me close to $500. And that sucked because I loved that piercing so much on me. With that all behind me, I had thought about getting the Medusa repierced, but I decided I did not want to risk it again. So I opted for the uber-trendy Monroe. I mainly chose this piercing because it is so uncommon for a boy to have. And I thought it went with my career (I'm a hairstylist) being a 'beauty mark' and that I'm in the beauty industry... and plus I wanted something different. I have only known one person that had this piercing and it was so cute on her, and I didn't remember her having any difficulties with the healing process. I honestly didn't research the piercing much on BME like I usually do, because I trusted my piercer to explain everything I needed to know, to successfully heal the Monroe (i.e.: length, location, etc.)
I went into the piercing shop ready to be pierced. At this point I had not definitely decided on the Monroe... I couldn't decide if I was going to get my Nape or Monroe. After asking some questions about both piercings, I decided to go with the more visible Monroe... but 16 gauge with a small ball. So the piercer gave me the aftercare instructions, sea salts, and Tech 2000. I paid him and we went back to the piercing room.
He had me sit on the doctor-type bed as usual and asked which side I wanted it on. I told him the right, then he proceeded to mark it. I got up and looked in the mirror, and said "Uh, yeah... I guess" (I didn't know what would look good.. I trusted him). He then had me lay back on the table/bed-thingy and tilt my head up. He lifted my upper lip up and I could feel the tiny poke of the needle resting on my lip while he aligned it. He then said 'deep breath in... and out' *PUNCH* it was in. No big deal, no worse than any other piercing. The needle was hanging out my mouth, then he reached for the jewelry. All of a sudden in comes some girl. She said "Ah man, I missed it?!" (I had my eyes closed) Then I felt her hair on my arm, and it made me a little uncomfortable... me laying there with my watery eyes with a huge needle hanging out of my upper lip and some girl getting her hair all over my arms, after just coming down from the piercing high. The piercer then pushed the jewelr y in, and proceeded to put the ball on. It was a little sting, but nothing too bad.
I got up, wiped my eyes and looked in the mirror. I loved it. Not too high, not too low. But the post was sticking out rather far. But I understood why.
Later that night everything was going great. I was being very religious with the aftercare to ensure the proper healing. I woke up the next morning and it had swollen some, but I could still see some of the post. Everything was going great... until 2 days later.
I was eating lunch and all of a sudden I noticed the post hanging out of the hole... definitely not good. So I freaked and spit. Out came the back of the jewelry. (It was internally threaded and the back screwed on like the ball) I tried so hard to put it back on.. but it would not go. Then I tried to get a 14 gauge one in. I got it, but not the right way. (The back was on the outside.) So I hauled ass to the piercing shop to have him put it back in. I threw a 16 gauge barbell in it and ran.
Once I got to the shop, he was acting very slowly which made me feel a little over-looked. He took my jewelry and sterilized it. Then called me to the back room. I laid back and he put it in, no problem. When I got up, I could not see the post hardly at all. My face was so swollen. I got up, and left.
I took ibuprofen when I got home, and drank water. The barbell felt tight, which brought back memories of the failed Medusa. So I desperately tried to get the swelling down... I sat there with an ice-pack for like 45 minutes, and nothing really was happening. So I started to wonder... would this end up in the hospital like the Medusa? So I called my piercer and he was not very friendly. He said to give it a day and then call him. But I couldn't wait a day... it was already tight. And not to mention that the next day I was completely booked at the salon, so I could not leave to get his help. I hung up the phone and called another local piercing shop that I had gone to a few times a long time ago to get little things done. They were much nicer and recommended that I switch to a bigger barbell... so I did exactly that.
Now I have a 1/2 inch 14 gauge barbell in my Monroe. It's a little big, but I feel very relieved that I can see the post a little bit. I am not going to give up hope for this piercing.. I just want it to heal!
So, with all that said, I finally feel like I have started on the path to having a successful piercing... finally. Oh, and if you want this piercing, I recommend it. Just make sure you go to a reputable piercer and take care of it. Have fun! Email me if you have any questions.