The experience for a chicken

At A Glance Author Jaimee Contact elvira108@aol.com Artist Patrick(i think) Studio Caliente` Location Boise, Idaho

I got my first piercing when I was 13. It was my bellybutton. I had wanted one for a long time, and when I finally talked my mom into it, I was very happy, but very nervous. Anyway..Ill skip the crap and get to the piercing...

All day at school I was so nervous, and after school when my mom picked me up, we went back to my house to get some ice (that was how worried about pain I was) We hadn't made and appointment like you should, we just did a walk-in because I just wanted to get it over with. When we walked in we went up and told the people at the front desk that I wanted my navel pierced. (This was the only place out of the 2 piercing shops that would do it for someone my age..but it was mostly a hair salon, they were very professional looking)

He went to see if the doctor could do it right then, and came back and said it would be about 20 minutes..great I thought, just let the piss build up and the butterflies reproduce eh?..he told us how to take care of it and gave us some cleaning stuff. Then he had me and my mom sign some papers. And then we got to go pick out the ring I wanted..i picked a pink barbell..Then finally a man came into the lobby and said "come on back"..To be honest I almost shit my pants right there, my heart started pounding.

He took me and my mom and best friend into a tiny room in the back. It was a little brighter than dim. There was a dentist like chair in the corner and he pushed the back rest back and told me to have a seat..that was the scariest part. He had me tuck my pants down and tuck my shirt up. He cleaned it very well, and put a little bit of anesthetic on it. Then he took what looked like a 14 gage hook and put it under my bellybutton. He then told me to take a deep breath and..squeezing my friends hand, I shut my eyes and took a breath. He pulled the hook up and through my navel in less than 2 seconds. They use a hollow needle and put the ring in the middle..then pull the needle out after..he screwed the caps on and told me it was over..my response was.."thats it?!" I looked in the mirror and was very pleased. When I came out of the room two women looked down and saw my navel then my tears(only of fright..no pain) and just said..awww! The next day my 2 other friends that were supposed to come with me got it done. (traitors) I was a little worried about it hurting if I were to sit down..but it didn't, in fact, about 3 hours later I was at my favorite dance club like I always am every friday.

Its been about 4 months..and im very happy with it.

However, im not going to sit here and say it hurts like a bitch or its pain free, its differnt for everybody, but it felt no worse than if you were to get your blood drawn. It does bleed a while, and its completely normal for it to get infected once in while. The only thing that Im still coping with is it sometimes gets snagged on your pants and pulls when you stand up..and yes that does hurt..but its ok..a tip is: KEEP IT VERY CLEAN!!!

I was very nervous and thought it would hurt a lot like many people have told me. But the key is to keep and open mind about.. dont say its gona hurt its gona hurt..or it will..make sure your really prepared for it and have a little time to walk around or go outside for some fresh air if your really nervous. It honestly doesnt hurt that bad at all, not near as much as I had led myself to think it would. and the procedure itself is literally less that 10 minutes. i was in and out of the shop in 45 minutes, even with the 20 minute delay. But something to think about is barbells. They do heal faster if you get one at first. But they also snag a lot on your clothes. And if your a concert goer like me, they are good, because they dont get ripped out in mosh pits as easy as rings do. A few downsides of navel piercings are: you have to stay out of swimming pools for about 3 or 4 weeks. and you can only take showers no baths(about 3 weeks). The ring must stay in for about 6 months to 1 year before you should change it. And when you take a shower you should let the water run on it while moving it around for about 5 minutes to make sure the hole is clear of soap. You usually have to clean it about 3 times a day.

I hope this experience helps with your decision!!!!!