"In For a Penny, In For a Pound"
At A Glance Author anonymous Contact anonymous@bme.anon IAM redstar376 When It just happened Artist April Johnson Studio Virtue and Vice Location Atlanta The conversation started like this:
"I've been thinking of getting my nipples pierced".
"Are you getting them pierced or are you just thinking of getting them pierced"?
"I'm getting them pierced".
"Are you going to pierce one or both"?
"In for a penny, in for a pound".
"Huh".
"Both".
"Okay".
This occurred this afternoon at Virtue and Vice in Atlanta. April, who has pierced me before, hadn't heard my initial mumbled response. The decision to get both nipples pierced was easy, I prefer symmetry, one nipple wouldn't do, and how do you decide which one? So it was both.
The decision to get my nipples pierced had been in process for almost three years. During that time April had pierced my scrotum twice and had given me a PA. Bethra, the owner of Virtue and Vice and retiring president of the AAPP had given me my first piercing and an apadravya. April had assisted in the apadravya procedure by holding my hand and keeping me calm. Necessary assistance that day as an apadravya is quite intimidating. What April and Bethra call "intense". That translates to painful and it was. Male nipples were also said to be "intense". And many BME experiences state the second nipple is the most painful. The question was did I want to endure two intense piercings in one day and could I do it without embarrassing myself. It took awhile but the decision was "okay" and April is a professional and won't let me feel embarrassed regardless of my reactions.
Based on April's recommendation straight barbells were used. Barbells are believed to heal quicker and easier as they are less likely to get caught on clothing. Once healed the barbells will be replaced with CBRs. The gauge choices were 10g or 12G. Went with 12g as my nipples are small. After taking several measurements, jewelry was chosen and the necessary paperwork was completed as the jewelry was prepared.
It was then time for what Hemingway called "the moment of truth". Or in a more current phrase, "time to get it on". April took me back to the already familiar room with the physician's table covered with paper. She had me stand while she marked my nipples. Then while laying down with my arms at my sides she pierced first my right and then left nipples. Both times it was breathe deeply several times with long slow exhales and pierce on the third exhale. Neither piercing bleed, not a single drop. April was very fast and I didn't feel the slow cutting into and passing through layers of skin as some people have told. What I could feel was the strength and power she used and the crunch as the needle passed through.
Some BME experiences have stated the clamp was the most painful part of the nipple piercing procedure, not for me. I thought it hurt right up until the third exhale when I learned what really hurt. There were no embarrassing moments, I didn't cry, faint, get dizzy, curse, fall off the table or whatever, but it did hurt. And yes the second nipple hurt more. But they look awesome!
The following observations are based on my limited piercing experience and one tattoo. Others may and probably will have different opinions. On a scale of one to ten the PA was a two, a slight pinch and easy to heal. The scrotum piercings were slightly more intense but not much more, score a three. However I had difficulty with healing as they kept getting twisted and pulled. Visually they were my favorite and I will try again. The apadravya was a twelve, extremely intense. It was however very easy to heal. The nipples were an eight and a nine. Healing will take awhile and the lesson has already been learned, "Don't hit them".
Sexually the PA is great and the apadravya, healed and properly sized is tremendous. I cannot begin to describe the sensation except to say it is overwhelming and seems to last forever. That however was my sensation. My wife, who does not like piercings or tattoos, had a different reaction. She found the PA annoying and distracting and the apadravya at times painful. Both were deemed turnoffs and exiled. Since in my opinion visually the PA is the more attractive of the two the apadravya has been retired with a comeback possible sometime in the future.
This experience has dwelled perhaps to excess on the pain factor. In all cases the pain is momentary while the exhilaration and anticipation begin when the decision is made and last well after the actual piercing. Pain is a necessary ingredient in the experience. It adds the edge. And it bring pride, I faced my fears and didn't back down.
And then Jess started talking about throwing hooks for suspensions and I knew there are a whole bunch of new fears coming in the future. But that is for another day.