7 days ago I got up the nerve to finally get a PA. Here's a recap of that experience and the following 7 days:
At A Glance Author Chris Contact chris@christophermichael.org When A week ago Artist Timothy Young Studio Sacred Heart Studios Location Houston, TX I've been wanting a PA for about 10 years now after having a roommate with one. I'd consider myself pretty adventurous and willing to try new things but every time I'd mention the idea to my friends or current/potential boyfriend I'd always get the "cringe" face followed by "why in the hell would you do that" or "well I'm not going anywhere near it if you do it". So, with that in mind I secretly continued reading up on the procedure for a while and last week when the opportunity struck I took advantage of it! I figured at 30 I'm tired of living my life for others and not doing things because of a guy that may or may not exist in my future that may or may not like my PA.
The guy I'm dating wanted me to go with him to get his nipple pierced. He already knew where he wanted to go to get it done but wanted me there for moral support. I told him I was considering getting a PA but I'm not sure he believed I'd go through with it but also didn't cringe or judge either.
So Sunday afternoon found us at Sacred Heart Studios on Westheimer in Montrose to get his nipple pierced. I asked a few questions I already knew the answers to (thanks BME posters) to test out the staff and they really did know their stuff and beyond that seemed super cool and friendly. So, my friend signed up to get his nipple pierced and I signed up to get my PA. No turning back now!
There were a flock of teen-aged girls in there getting their noses done and once they left I got to see just how professional Tim Young, the head piercer, really was. I saw him and his staff prepare the room with great detail between each and every one of the girls and the whole time I was there I don't think I saw him without a surgical mask or fresh pair of gloves on.
My friend got his nipple pierced and was happy with the results. I was up next. I asked my friend to take TONS of pics with my iPhone so I'd have them later as I knew I couldn't bare to watch what was happening. I was SO glad I chose to do that. Tim was ready and told me to climb onto the table and pull down my pants. He gave me some surgical type paper to pull my junk through and the rest went rather quickly.
He inserted the receiving tube and then pierced from the outside. To be completely honest the pain was like someone had cut off my dick. It ran all through my body and, yes, I screamed like a little girl. But the pain was brief and distracted me from the rest of the procedure. Before I knew it I had my PA and Tim was wrapping my junk in a surgical glove.
The staff was GREAT in taking time to explain after-care and provided a peppermint smelling soap to be applied twice-daily after 24 hours. We mentioned that we were headed to a holiday party and they warned me not to drink too much since alcohol is a blood-thinner and would cause bleeding. I really didn't expect much bleeding but took their advise into consideration. They also suggested that I go buy non-lubricated condoms to wear until the bleeding stopped.
After I got home that night I removed the surgical glove and found a bloody mess. I'm not that great with blood but quickly decided I needed to learn how to deal with it. I got in the shower and remembering that urine is a natural cleanser (again, thanks BME submitters) I peed. There was no pain and between the shower and peeing the area was looking very clean and I was quite hopeful the healing would be quick. I put on a condom and went to bed.
I woke up 2 hours later with a hard on and a slight pain... looked down and the condom was 1/4 FULL of blood. Wearing that condom most likely saved my bed! Back in the shower I went and I cleaned and peed again.... put on another condom and went to bed.
I woke up Monday morning with a bloody condom again but nothing like the one from earlier that night. I cleaned up, put on another condom and went to work. The pain was more like a pinching on the tip of your dick and was certainly manageable. I took several condoms to work with me and each time I peed I'd put on a new one. This continued through Thursday.
After 4 days of bleeding (more like spotting really) I woke up Friday morning to no blood in the condom. I kept fresh condoms going all day Friday and Friday night but never had any blood. So, Saturday I decided to try to go without a condom since I was hanging around the house anyway. I went all day with no blood! Saturday night I slept all night without a condom and with no blood. This brings us to today. I'm wearing normal clothes (jeans and boxer briefs) and am at work and condom/blood free!
I honestly expect things from here on out to get better. Here is an easy list of the things I've learned in the last 7 days:
1. Have PLENTY of non-lubricated condoms available! They're a LIFE (and clothes/bedding) saver!
2. Avoid alcohol before and after the piercing.
3. Everyone has different results from this piercing. Some have no pain, others have sharp pain during the piercing. Some have no bleeding, some, like me, bleed for days.
4. Use the internet for answers but if something really troubles you ask the guy that pierced you. I read that the bleeding should stop within 12-24 hours on just about every website so on day 4 I was considerably worried. My piercer explained that this time varies... and it did.
5. Do things like this for yourself because YOU want it... not because others pressure you to do it or make fun of you for doing it. I've found the reactions of others to be from "yuck" to "wow, good for you for going through with it!".
6. Be prepared to notice things about your self you didn't know before. I didn't know I "lean to the left" but suddenly am very conscious of this for comfort factors.
7. Be prepared to take it easy for a while. I read on here that someone was playing table tennis after getting his PA... I couldn't imagine! This is one area you want to "baby" for a while for the best results.
This is an AWESOME piercing and I can tell I'm going to enjoy it after it heals but if you're considering getting a PA I caution you to READ everything you can get your hands on first. Know exactly what you're getting into and make sure you have the right motivation before jumping into it but if you're already at that point JUST DO IT! You'll be glad you did!
I'm happy to chat with anyone who has questions or wants to know more about my experience. Please feel free to email me.