On the 19th of October, a Thursday night, I sat at my computer in the wee
hours contemplating the BME navel experiences. I was hunting for care
information and pain scales from people who'd already experienced a navel
piercing. After compiling a stack of stories, I wanted to pierce badly. By
the time I went to sleep, I had decided tomorrow I would go to Art Addictions
and get it done. I was so excited, it took me over an hour to get to sleep.
I chose Art Addictions because I had been pierced and tattooed there
before. They are friendly and really take interest in your body art. They
listen to your worries about pain, try to put you at ease as best possible,
and answer any questions. They insist you call if there is any problem. Their
health policies are clearly displayed everywhere and pamphlets from the
Ministry of Health on piercing, tattoos, hepatitus, and AIDS line the mantle
piece in the main room.
Friday, at school, I told all my friends I was
getting pierced that afternoon. They wanted to know if I was nervous and,
boy, was I ever! Once I had left school for the day, my friend and I headed
to the shop. We took the bus from school and all I could do the whole ride
was constantly chatter in vain attempt to calm my nerves. Upon arrival at the
shop, I presented my ID and signed the necessary papers. After a few minutes
of waiting in the main room where all the tattoo art is displayed and the
tattoos are done, Diane, the piercer, came out and we discussed my jewellery
options. I had read about barbells, so I wanted to get one of those but I
thought maybe you could only get a ring put in when you get pierced. She
explained that barbells can be used, are less likely to get caught on things
and are just as easy to clean. We then discussed gauge. She recommended a 14
gauge barbell, but I wanted something a little more delicate, so I chose a
smaller barbell. Once I had chosen the jewellery, she led my friend (a.k.a.,
my support group) and I into the back room where the piercing takes place.
She had me tuck my shirt under my bra and had me stand in front of her with
my arms down at my sides. I was so nervous, I felt the whole world could see
me trembling. My friend told me after she could see my knees shaking! She
marked my navel and tried to help me relax. Then she had me lie on a
dentist-like chair and she sterilized my gold bent barbell and prepared all
the instruments. She explained the procedure to me: She would clean me, clamp
me and the needle would pinch and then it would be over. So she put on her
gloves, cleaned me with Betadine, clamped my belly, lined up the needle
(which I couldn't see, thank God! I'm so afraid of needles!) and said take a
little breath and let it out slowly. So I did and poke!, it was through. My
friend squirmed a little by my side but she said it didn't look so bad. Diane
was so good at helping me calm down and so fast with the needle that it was
over before I knew it. It felt like a sharp, small pinch. I couldn't believe
I had been so scared! I felt like laughing hysterically. Then she got the
barbell and put it in, which hurt more than the needle. But it only hurt for
a short time while she screwed the ball on and swabbed away the blood. I bled
only a little. Once I was sitting up, she broke the needle in front of me and
disposed of it, then she sat down and explained how to clean the piercing
with soap, an epsom salt soak, and a light coat of Mecca ointment around the
shaft of the barbell twice a day. She had me stand erect once again and she
checked the barbell and I got to take a look at it in a full-length mirror.
It looked awesome! Finally I was happily pierced and ready to go with
aftercare instructions in hand. Now, a few days after, the piercing feels
good, maybe a little sore depending on how I move or if my pants brush it the
wrong way, and it looks wonderful. I take care of it obsessively, always
washing my hands before touching it and keeping my boyfriend's hands off it.
He likes it a lot too. So, if you're considering piercing your navel, do it!
It is beautiful and hurts only for a short time. It's definitly the best
investment I've made in a while.
