When I began to become interested in getting my navel pierced, I had 6 lobe piercings, 2 cartilage piercings, and one failed eyebrow piercing (very sad). I've always been a little disappointed that I became more interested in mods AFTER my lobes were already pierced to pieces and that I wouldn't be able to have them pierced at a large gauge to save on all that stretching that I'm working through right now. Hating to say I steer clear of certain piercings because they become 'popular', it's more appropriate to say I just like ones that are a little more unusual.
At A Glance Author MCS Contact MCS4096@aol.com When A week ago Artist Jori Zan Studio Jori Zan's Body Piercing Location Salem, Oregon I'm a bit leery of facial piercings since my eyebrow grew out, so when I got my most recent "hankering" for a new piercing, I began to look at BME's pictures of navels. I started to like how much of a blank canvas navels can be -- all that open skin! I decided a navel would be a welcome change from my ear piercings, and I love the look of the large gauge rings. I don't exactly have the flattest stomach, but there's something so attractive about a 6 gauge ring hanging from any belly. I wanted it bad.
I did my usual round of information searching on BME and such, also looking at many pictures. About a week ago I headed to Jori Zan's in Salem. She's done all my piercings, and I absolutely love the shop. Her husband, Troy works at the front counter where they have an incredible range of jewelry, and she is one of the nicest people I've met. She does a beautiful, gentle job all the time, and I can tell she appreciates aesthetics because her own piercings are some of the loveliest I've seen. Between the two of them I always feel well treated and know I'm getting a very professional job; Jori has been doing this for years and was even trained in California under Fakir Musafar.
Anyway, I went to the shop and told Troy I was interested in getting a 6 gauge navel piercing. He looked at me in an amused manner, and got out his box of CBRs. Together we looked at a half inch 6 gauge CBR and he said something along the lines of " You must be nuts!" (In a goodhearted way of course) I'm not sure if Jori does dermal punches, but I gather from my experience that if she does, she doesn't do them on navels. Troy told me it would be very hard for her (understandably) to pierce at 6 gauge, and probably not all that pleasant for me. Jori came out of the back room and agreed; not only would it be more difficult to pierce at this gauge, but the weight of the jewelry would be of concern during healing. The largest gauge I've been pierced at is 16, I've stretched my lobes up. Regardless of whether someone else with perhaps more experience might have a different opinion on healing a 6 gauge navel, I appreciate Jori's knowledge and because I always go back to her sho p, I like to follow her recommendations. She said the largest navel she'd pierced was at 8 gauge, and that the client had trouble healing. While she of course pointed out I might have no trouble at all, she suggested we pierce at 10 gauge and stretch to 6.
Although I was a little disappointed by this, I was glad to be in good hands. Jori took me into her piercing room, which is always wonderfully sterile and tidy looking. I can't speak enough about how clean and professional Jori is. Anyway, between our usual chit chat and laughing (something I believe puts any piercee at ease) she took out her sterile instruments and began to mark my skin. Then she had me hop off the table and inspect it in her mirror. She commented, as Troy had earlier and how I'd often thought myself, that I have quite an ample 'lip' on my navel, that is to say.. my navel is a hole, rather than a depression. I was glad of this as it will allow me to stretch well and also allowed Jori to pierce to what I think is adequate depth.
I lay on the bench and she began the clamping as she talked reassuringly (always nice) and I focused on my breathing (something I always do even thought I believe I have a good tolerance of pain.. it just puts me in the groove). I could feel the entering pinch of the needle, and while it felt longer and stronger than my ear piercings, the burn of the pierce wasn't that of cartilage. I can honestly say it wasn't too bad. Of course I enjoy piercings and the whole experience, so I personally don't understand people who bitch and moan about the pain. It was great!
Jori slid the CBR in as I tried to sneak a look down the length of my body. Finally she was done and as she was cleaning up I sat up and admired my newest bit of metal. It looks wonderful. I find the placement perfect, and I have no doubt it'll turn out well. Jori always comments on how good a new piercing looks; something that boosts my ego and is surely meant to! We chatted a bit more and also made "bagels" with our bellies.. Encircle your belly button with your hands and press the tissue into a bagel shape! The more tissue, the most tasty a bagel you have. This is something Jori does with her young daughter and it's pretty amusing. I've never seen a bagel with a CBR in it however, and Jori and I chuckled about this as she has a 10 gauge piercing as well.
We went over aftercare as always, and she talked a little about the future stretching of the piecing etc. It's now been about a week since then, and it's coming a long very well. It's quite red around the top hole, itchy, and yesterday was its "bleeding day", something I experience with every piercing I get. I have no bruising, and after the first day the piercing wasn't sore at all. I've been doing many salt water and chamomile soaks; I find it much easier to place a coffee mug full of it on top of my belly than submerge my ear into a bowl of it! I've had very good luck at not rolling over onto it in my sleep so far, and trauma is minimal. I'm really enjoying it and looking forward to stretching it once healed. I like the feel of it wiggling around in my belly button when I walk also. And again, I cant recommend Jori Zan enough, I wouldn't go to anyone else! Take care and good luck with your large gauge navel endeavor!