Well, it took me a long time to decide to do it and even longer to grow the balls to finally go for it. I don't know why, as I've already had my tongue surgically split, but maybe because this was a more readily visible mod... dunno really. But, it is finally done! I got my ears scalpelled last night up from about 00g to 5/8". I wanted to go up to 3/4" or even 7/8", but the piercer (and now, surgeon, it seems... grin) didn't feel it would be totally symmetrical to go past 5/8" at this time, so we settled on 5/8". The scalpelling will give me a bit more tissue anyway and should make stretching up to my goal a bit easier in the future (goal of 1-1/4".. maybe up to 1-1/2").
At A Glance Author Phantazm Contact Phantazm@bme.anon IAM Phantazm When It just happened Location Roswell, NM The experience began like many do... finding someone competent to take care of a procedure of this magnitude. There is a new shop here in town, which for now will remain nameless, as I didn't bother to ask if he wanted me really spreading the word too far just yet, though I don't think he would care! Anyway, it's a relatively new shop in this small town of only about 50,000 people. Before I want in to actually have the procedure done, he had to special order the scalpel, as he doesn't keep them in normal stock supply (as not many people around here, at least that I know of, who would even consider asking for a procedure like this.. or even know it exists!) I got with him last week and got everything in order and we were both ready to go.
I filled out all the usual paperwork and proceeded to the back area of the shop. He asked if I minded if his apprentice observed, and of course, I did not mind a bit. As it turned out, he assisted some with the procedure by holding the clamps while the main man sliced through my flesh.
It started out about as I expected. First he measured carefully the existing holes in my lobes and made the necessary calculations to determine the exact length of the cut he would need to make. Once he had done that he made two templates of sorts. He them proceeded to carefully prep my ear lobes with Betadine and began opening the already sterilized instruments he would be using for the procedure. Two scalpels, of course. I wasn't surprised, but impressed just the same.
He proceeded to take a new surgical scribe marker and carefully held the template for my left ear just near the top of my existing approximately 00g hole. He was careful not to actually touch the now-sterile surface of my lobe with the template itself. He carefully made the mark and then proceeded to do the same on my right ear. He had me take a look, so I would know how high up the lobe the incisions would actually go. They were, kinda to my surprise, a bit longer than I had expected for just a 5/8" goal, but after I though about it, the amount of tissue required to increase the necessary diameter was, indeed, quite a bit. I was pleased and gave the final go-ahead.
He then proceeded to place a clamp on my left earlobe. This was probably slightly more uncomfortable than the cut itself, as the pressure he decided to use was a bit more than I was used to with other piercings. I suppose he used it to help control bleeding, but didn't really bother to ask. Now for the fun part. He asked one last time if I was prepared and I gave him the nod to proceed.
He took, actually, probably about 45 to 60 seconds to get all of it done. Though, again, I was not surprised, I hadn't really thought about asking how long each cut would take. I was pleased that he was taking his time to be sure everything turned out exactly as he has planned it to. Until he removed the clamp after completing the incision, bleeding was kept to a minimum, but there was plenty during the one second period it took him to remove the clamp and insert the taper. At this point, pain was really minimal, but a burning sensation was present. He followed the taper with the jewelry and applied pressure to stop additional bleeding, which took only minutes, as he had calculated the length of the incision so perfectly the very slight pressure of the jewelry took care of most of the bleeding.
I won't bother to type out the redundant procedure for the right lobe. It went equally as smoothly as the left, though it did hurt just a bit more, but was tolerable.
I chilled in the chair for a bit longer and just talked with him and his apprentice for a bit. We were all very pleased with the results!
I payed and tipped him (generously, as I was very pleased!) and proceeded to go show my mom my newly acquired jewelry, knowing that she would give me the usual "you're crazy" speech (which I almost took forward to, as we both end up laughing about it at the end!!) She did, to my surprise, compliment me on my jewelry choice and I think she actually kinda liked the look, though she would never admit it.
I went home and did the usual babying to my new modifications, carefully showered and headed to bed.
Upon awaking the next morning I was pleasantly surprised to not find much blood at all had seeped out onto the old pillow case I had used that night. I carefully cleansed my new lobes and admired them for quite some time in the mirror!
Overall, this was a very positive experience. I would recommend that anyone considering this should certainly keep in mind that this should probably be considered a bit more carefully than some more "mainstreem" mods, as it is surgical in nature and takes a commitment on the part of the piercer and piercee that some more "typical" (not to downplay other mods... Mods are Mods!) modifications may.
Aftercare is particularly important and cannot be ignored or taken lightly. Be sure that your body artist is prepared and competent to undertake something of this magnitude before you proceed and carefully consider the pros and cons of both the procedure itself and the desired outcome, along with any potential (though unlikely, if you follow your aftercare carefully) healing complications that could arise.
Happy cutting to everyone and feel free to email me, IM me on IAM with any questions or comments. Pics to be posted on my IAM page as soon as I can get to it.