I would just like to start by saying that I am ever grateful to the BME staff and contributors for putting together a wonderfully inspiring and educational site. I have learned more than I ever could have imagined. And so, I would like to offer my story as a token of my appreciation.
At A Glance Author MelMac Contact MelMac@bme.anon When It just happened Artist Jason Studio Adrenaline Location New Jersey I have been interested in all facets of body modification for several years. I have quad-navels, gauged ears, a tragus, anti-tragus, inner and outer helixes, 3 snugs, and a tattoo on my inner arm. I've always wanted to do something facial, but I work at a restaurant that doesn't allow visible tattoos or piercings (except for ears). Until recently, I never considered getting my septum pierced. But one fine day, I was gandering through BME and discovered that, with a retainer, my septum could just as well be the illusive piercing I've been looking for.
I thought about it for a few days and made the decision to go for it. I planned to go Thursday (today) and the days seemed to go by slower and slower. Finally the day came I was anxious all morning long. I made sure to eat before I went and took a multi-vitamin and 50 mg of zinc, hoping they would help with the initial body shock.
So off I went to Adrenaline, more excited then ever before. They are a very clean and friendly studio and Jason, the senior piercer and manager, always does a fantastic job. I walked into the studio with my friend, Hoag, (who planned on having her navel done) and told Jason I wanted my septum pierced. He showed me my jewelry choices and we decided that a circular barbell would best suit my nose and could still be hidden when need be.
I went into the piercing room and while Jay got everything ready to go. I was nervously asking questions about the amount pain I was about to endure. He said that it wouldn't feel pretty, but that I could handle it. He spent a good deal of time marking me and making sure everything was just right. I must say, he did an excellent job, being that my nose is crooked, especially in the septum area.
Then he clamped me...
...two seconds later, I felt the needle begin puncture my nose and my eyes began to water. My adrenaline was really pumping at this point, it was thrilling. It hurt...I won't lie about that...I even squirmed a little. The pain was not nearly intense as I expected though, mostly just a strange stinging effect. Jay finished putting the needle through and inserted the jewelry.
The CBB fit a little odd and he needed to adjust it slightly...while it was IN MY NOSE. This part made me a nervous. I trust Jay to the fullest extent, but I could only imagine the worst, thinking that the pliers would slip or something, but everything turned out fine. He showed me how to flip the jewelry up inside my nose and we went over the after care procedures. I paid, tipped, and was on my merry way, until....
I noticed that the piercing was sitting a little odd. I took it out from inside my nose and noticed that the jewelry adjustment made the piercing look slightly off. Fearing the possibility of a crooked piercing, I hopped in my car and flew back to Adrenaline to show Jay. He said there was nothing to worry about, the CBB was crooked, not the piercing. Initially, we would have pierced it with a retainer, but the ones they had were too large for my nose, so we had to go with the CBB, but that didn't work out. Jay improvised and made a custom piece for me out of a small 14 gauge barbell. He made the jewelry into an upside-down U shape (kind of like half an oval).
Jay sat me back in the chair and took out the crooked CBB. He told me to relax and took out a 14 gauge taper pin, put it through the fresh hole, and inserted the new jewelry; let's just say that didn't feel too nice. But now my septum is A-okay and it looks great. The custom barbell flips up much easier and I'm much happier with the way it turned out.
Septums may look awfully painful, but I assure you that it looks much worse than it feels. The initial pain was a little tough, but now I barely notice a slight tingling sensation. All in all, it was a wonderful experience. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. After she's good n' healed, I plan on stretching to an 8 or 10.
Thank you for taking the time to read my experience. I am most appreciative. :)