My journey to nipple piercings began a year and a half ago. That was when I got them pierced for the first time. I have reread my experience from then, and I have to say that I think I did it for all the wrong reasons. I was having problems in my relationship, and the piercings only served to exacerbate things. This time I got them pierced because my nipples did not feel right with nothing in them. In my frustrations, I had found part of who I was to become. That was somewhat comforting, but it did not change the triviality of what I had done.
At A Glance Author goodygrrl Contact goodygrrl@bme.anon IAM goodygrrl When Three months ago Artist Donna Andrews Studio Passion Piercing Location Stockton, CA
While I had them pierced the first time, I contemplated joining the Navy, and when I went to MEPS for the physical, I had curved barbells in them. It came time for the *gulp* inspection, and I could not get them out. Try as I might, I was unable to unscrew them. Luckily, though, the doctor just told me that I would have to remove them before I shipped out. I discussed my situation with the recruiters, and they tried to convince me that I could sneak jewelry in, which is completely untrue. Anyway, I ended up removing them, which turned out to be a big mistake. As my ship out date drew near, I could not come to grips with the idea of conforming to military ideals, and so I opted to stay in Stockton and apply to Berkley. This way I would be able to do what I needed to feel myself, and would not be fighting for a cause I didn't endorse. All this went down shortly after September 11, 2001.
It took me a couple months to get my piercer to do them, because she was between shops for a while and we did not want to do it at the house. But on May 25, 2000, my nipples were once again pierced. This time we took pics of the procedure, and those are posted in the standard female nipples section. I don't know if it hurt more or less this time, but it did hurt. As you can see in the pictures, I was visibly in pain.
My piercer was somewhat unhappy with the placement of my piercings the first time around (she had not done them), and so she placed them a little further back. Since I know her, I think that part of the reason she didn't like the placement was just because she had quarrels with the studio that did them the first time around, but they do actually look better now. And I trust her beyond words, so I know that she would never suggest doing something that she knew would cause harm. But she can inflict pain with the best of them.
I don't handle pain very well. I have been pierced 19 times so far, but most often my reaction to pain involves loud noises and, in one instance, I grabbed the hand of my piercer so she would wait a moment before putting the jewelry through. Don't worry, this was not done while she was putting the needle through, but rather after it was already through.
I have gained weight since the first time I had them pierced, and I am no longer a small, skinny high schooler, so it was mildly embarassing to submit the pics of my slightly heavier, pasty self, but how many of you really care? Both times I have had my boyfriend (different ones) with me for the procedure. The first time, Kipling was there and held my hand. The second, RJ was there and took pictures. This meant that I did not have a hand to hold onto. But having the pictures more than made up for it.
The healing process was a little different this time. The first time around, they healed up perfectly within a month, but this time it has been four months and they are just now finishing healing. They also felt different during the healing process as well. Before they were fine to be touched and played with, but this time they were very sensitive, and they could not be touched at all without hurting for the first couple months. Just recently have they come around to the human touch. I don't know if this is because they are through scar tissue or because the placement was too far back, but if damage has been done, then there is nothing I can do about it but deal.
Right now I am in the process of trying to find nipple shields for them. I want celtic crosses, but these don't seem to be as popular as I think they should be. So far, all I have found is suns and flowers. God help those of use who strive for something different.