My tale starts simply enough; last year for my birthday, I got an ear cartilage piercing. This year, after another birthday passed, I think, what should I get next? It was logical for my mind to drift south to my mid-section, as I had admired navel piercings on others, and I thought, why not? At 46 and after 2 children, I certainly didn't look like I did at 20, but in my mind I'm FAR from over the hill, and I certainly don't feel like I am. Then in April my 16 year old daughter asked to get her lip pierced, and I agreed as long as she went somewhere professional, safe and CLEAN. On her brother's and other friends' recommendations we ended up at Puncture in Upland, and I was most impressed with the cleanliness and very thorough knowledge of their staff. So I made a mental note, this is where I'll go if I decide....
At A Glance Author luvs2cruz Contact luvs2cruz@bme.anon When Six months ago Artist Steve Studio Puncture Location Upland, Ca A month or so later I let a good friend know my intentions, and not long afterward I was excited to hear her tell me that if I went then she would get hers done too! No sooner had that happened then a coworker decided that she'd like to get hers done too. That was it, no turning back now!
So in June we made an appointment, and the only requirement they had was that we needed to eat a little something sometime before we came in. So on that day we arrived at Puncture and were greeted by Steve, who would pierce us. He asked to see our navels just to confirm that there wouldn't be any problems anatomy-wise, asked if we had questions about what was gonna happen, and then we picked our jewelry. I chose a SSS barbell with cubic zirconia stones for the added sparkle. We filled out the required paperwork and had our I.D.'s copied, and waited for Steve to sterilize everything. At that time one of their office staff went over the aftercare instructions, and made sure we understood everything.
Next Steve called us in and he let us all in together--what a support group--2 "middle-agers" and a twenty-something! We were all so nervous about the pain factor! We chose what order to go, and I was elected last--darn! So my friends both went, and hey, it didn't seem too bad, then it was my turn. Like my friends before me, Steve showed me the sterilized equipment and jewelry, then proceeded to clean the area, then mark the entry and exit spots with ink. Then onto the table, and I took some deep breaths and stared at the ceiling tiles. On about the 3rd breath, the needle went in. I didn't really feel the entry, but there was kind of an escalating "burning" feeling until the needle exited; then no pain at all, not even when the barbell went in. I jumped off the table and, like my friends, admired my new "addition" in the mirror. We all tipped Steve--he had been great with all of us; very professional, and answered any and all questions we had during our time ther e--and happily left with our aftercare products- sea salt for soaking, and Satin soap for cleaning.
There was only slight soreness, and some "weeping" from the area for a couple days afterward, and even though we were instructed not to sleep on our stomach, I did, and had no pain or ill effects (it can irritate and cause your piercing to heal crooked). It hurt to bend over at first, and any pants with a waistband that was too high were a definite no-no, but healing has been pretty easy. The salt soaks are both cleansing and soothing (I use a shot glass), and the soap has kept it clean. Sometimes it gets irritated, but only for a day or so. It has now been about six months, and I just bought some new jewelry-a blue titanium twisted ring that I will be trying on soon. I'm only waiting because the jewelry is 14g, and I was pierced at 12g, and I'm hoping that the longer the larger size is in, then the hole will stay that size (for ease of changing jewelry).
Needless to say, I enjoyed the look of surprise on my daughter's face when I came home that day! (only my husband knew)
My advice to anyone thinking about this piercing is first, the pain during piercing only lasts a couple seconds, and second, be patient, navels do take longer to heal, but so far I am really happy I got it, and I'm looking forward to buying lots of new jewelry to show it off! And since my next birthday is 3 months away, I'm now going further south and researching hood piercings on BME!!(look for a new story ;>) !) If you're on the fence about deciding on your naval,and you think you're too old, I say GO FOR IT! You're as young as you feel!!!