Don't listen to other people trying to put you off

At A Glance Author Helene Contact Helene@bme.anon Artist Male Studio Absolute Piercing Location Souhtport, England

Hi there, I am Mrs average, living in an average town with an average job. When I expressed that I was interested in have my tongue pierced to friends and family they were mortified. Everyone tried to put me off and if I had of listened to them then you wouldn't be reading my account.

To be honest I was petrified of having it done. I am not squeemish about anything but this really did scare me. Not enough to put me off though. I woke up on Friday morning not knowing that when I went to bed I would be nursing a swollen tongue. I went to work and finished early. I was driving home when I thought that this would be the ideal oppurtunity to get my tongue pierced. You know to give it time to heal over the weekend. So when I got home I picked the phone book up and (fate or what) it opened on piercing. I called the nearest studio to me 'Absolute Piercing' in Southport and talked to a really nice woman. I grilled her for about five minutes about the procedure and then said I'd consider it. I went and fed the cat and though 'Helene you big wimp go and do it'. So I called back and aasked could they fit me in. When she said yes, I jumped in my car and with the radio blasting (to take my mind off it) drove down there.

I'll be honest I should have phoned around more, but I had looked it up on the internet so I knew what I had to ask. The woman I spoke to was so reasurring I felt comfortable, also the piercer was qualified and health registerd. So I went on gut feeling.

As I was parking my husband walked past and was obviously surprised to see me. He works around the corner from the studio. He asked me what was I doing and when I told him he said he'd come with me. He just wanted to see me in pain I think.

When I got there I was expecting to see the receptionist pierced head to toe, but she wasn't. Niether was the bloke who did the piercing. I though mmmmmmm maybe this isn't such a great advert, but when I got talking to them they explained that different people get different things done.

Anyway, you want the gory details don't you, the piercer sprayed my tongue mouth with a 'cocaine based spray' which I wasn't allowed to swallow. I had to hold it in my mouth for ages. It really numbed my mouth. My hubby was sitting there laughing at me drooling because I lost control of my jaw because it was so numb. Very undignified. But this pleased me. After about 15 minutes of this I was lead into a small room away from hubby (so he didn't see the gory details) and after an inspection of my tongue and a quick swish with mouthwash the piercer put a clamp on the end.

From this point, being the wimp that I am, I had my eyes tight shut so I will give an account of what I felt happen. The piercer marked my tongue with a pen and then told me I'd feel a slight jab. I felt it alright but to be perfectly honest I've burst spots that have hurt more. He fiddled around for a couple of seconds and then said 'right your done'. To that my exact words were, 'it was a piece of piss'. And it was. It really didn't hurt.

He explained to me that for the next few days I would hate him but once the swelling settled I'd be pleased. I was advised to take vitiman C and suck lots of ice.

That was friday afternoon, its now Sunday night. I'm eating ice like I'm addicted to it and the swelling is starting to subside. The only discomfort I have got is the bottom ball on the barbell rubbing on the bottom of my mouth. I go back on Friday to have the post shortend and then the friday after for the final post shortening. I might look at getting a titanium stud because they are so much lighter.

I think it looks great, I can speak OK, I have feeling in my tongue and I would say to anyone thinking about doing it, don't hesitate seize the moment. If you don't like it you can take it out. Coming from someone who was really scared, I can honestly say, I didn't hurt but, it was a little uncomfortable the day after.

My husband isn't a fan of it (but he thinks I've got balls for doing it), I'll win him round. My mum and dad and the out-laws were horrified. But they'll get over it I'm sure.

At the end of the day I wanted it done and although I wouldn't go as far as saying it has been my best descision ever, its in my top ten.

Helene x