Four years ago, my sister went to get her belly button pierced... I was not into it at all. But lately, for some reason, I've really wanted to get mine done. About 3 months ago, I started to talk about it to my husband- I don't think that he was too pleased about it. And I was talking to 2 of my friends that have it done, and got a lot of encouragement.
At A Glance Author Sweet Spiceberry Contact Sweet Spiceberry@bme.anon When A week ago Artist I think her name was Debbie Studio Creative Tattoo & Body Piercing Location PA
So, 2 weeks ago, I started to research getting my belly pierced... sites like BME and safepiercing.org helped me out a lot.. prepared me for what I was about to do. I read stories just like mine, all with different expierences. It was a comfort to know what you are getting yourself into before hand. And even now, after the piercing, I have been at these sites just to make sure that I am taking care of it properly, and that what I see and feel is normal (aftercare- and what I see and feel, so far, is normal, and all is fine).
So I finally got the courage to do it about a week ago. The first place I went to- I went with my sister... I was away from home, getting her from college. She has had her belly pierced twice and her nose, so I was trusting where she normally goes. The "normal" person that she deals with was not there, it was someone else... The place was busy, and was told to come back in a few hours... well, I wasn't going to be there in a few hours and I was very uncomfortable about being at, so I left. And I did not go back there. I just did not feel right about it there, and I read to trust my instincts. So thats exactly what I did. However, I was bummed. I knew that if I didn't do it that day, I would probably never do it then. So I had to find another place to get it done. No more waiting...
Once I was back in my home town, I went to the second place, Creative Tattoo and Body Piercing. As I walked in, I was thinking to myself "I can't believe I am about to do this." But there was not turning back, I would not let myself "chicken out". I probably should have gone to this place in the first place, not else where. It was a better environment and I was more comfortable there... unlike earlier in the day. I filled out all the necessary paper work, and picked out my ring. I talked to the piercer about the jewelery that would be used first, asking her recomendations for a first time piercing, ect.. she recomened the ring, so since she is the professional I went along with that. I had my friend with me, so she came into the room with me.. The whole studio was pretty clean, smelt very sanitary too. I was told to lay down on table-like chair, she marked my belly, and I told my friend to check it out for me, I was trusting her judgement. (which was good) Next thing I knew, I was cleaned and clamped, (which the equipment was new, I watched her take everything out of the packaging, and she wore gloves, did everything the way things are supposed to be done) The clamping did not hurt at all. The piercer was talking to me the whole time, telling me what was going on, but I did ask for her to not tell me when she was actually going to put the needle though. I did feel the piercing itself, and I thought that it hurt. She then put in the jewelery, which was still a little painful to me. I started to feel warm and shaky, so I was just told to stay there... I kept thinking, "great, Im going to pass out!" after a few minutes I was fine, no passing out... unlike the friend that I was with, she passed out when she had hers done.. but they had her stand up while being pierced and she bled a lot... So anyway, I looked at my new piercing and was pleased. There wasn't much blood at all, but i recomened you wear loose clothing around your waist , you will benefit from it. My friend and I talked to the piercer for a little while after ward, just to make sure I was ok, she had me hang around... We talked about the aftercare and that if I had any questions or concerns to call her or to come back and see her. It was comforting. After a short while, we left (I would go back there if I wanted anything else, which I probably wont)
Meanwhile, I did this without my husbands knowing... he wasn't happy at first, but he is now... cant believe that I have one. And I think that he realizes that I am comfortable enough with my body to have it done, and honestly i don't exactly have a flat stomach either, I've had a baby, so I have this little "pouch". But Im happy with my decision. I have been cleaning it faithfully morning and night with clear liquid antibacterial soap (and water) and doing sea salt soaks 2-3 times a day. I had a little crust on it yesterday and that was cleaned up. It is a little sore today, and its still pink at the top part. Hopefully it will heal well, Im scared of it getting infected.. but if I continue doing what I am doing, I don't think there will be any problems... and in 3 months I can change it to something cute and dangally.
Good luck to all who want to do what I did!