I got my navel done over a year ago and just adore it. I will start by saying that if anyone is apprehensive about getting theirs done because of the pain factor, they are worrying over nothing. It was really no big deal. The initial piercing was a breeze. I had worked myself up a little over it myself and almost chickened out (haha--that would have been silly). I called Gordon and told him I wanted to get my navel done and would like to come into the shop and talk with him and browse for jewelery. He had me come in the same day and I decided to bring a friend with me just in case he was able to do the piercing to assure that I would NOT chicken out. This is something I really wanted done but the idea of knowing that I was going to walk into an office where I was going to intentionally do something that would cause pain was a little unsettling. I walked into Timebomb with my friend and my mixed emotions (she even brought her 6 year old son along and told me that I couldn't make a fuss becasue he would see it and it would scare him). The first thing Gordon wanted to do was look at my belly (go figure). He stooped down to get a good look and take a measurement and said "wow". Wow what? He said that I was "anatomically perfect" for the piercing. I had a ledge on the top of my navel that was just crying for decoration. Ok, I was SOLD. At that point, I didn't care if it would be like pulling teeth, his reaction did wonders for my motivation. He was not just saying that either, I looked at the portfolio and did not see anyone with a "ledge" as pronounced as mine. It was crying for attention.
At A Glance Author anonymous Contact anonymous@bme.anon When N/A Artist gordon Studio timebomb Location frederick, md So, I decided to do it right then and there. He invited us back (6 year old little guy got to come too) and started to get everything he needed while making small talk. He asked if I minded if he let his apprentice watch in and of course, I didn't mind so we just had someone else to talk to. Gordon laid everything out on the table and explained what it was for. The usual needle, alcohol prep pads, a green tissue kind of like the dentist has, cork, gauze, forceps, and cream. Everything that came in contact with my skin was in a sterile package Gordon said he wanted to measure the area again and make sure everything was marked properly. I was fine with that and actually asked if he could make sure it was as deep as he could go in fear that it would erode out. He said that was an unusual request but was happy to get it in as deep as he could. He then chuckled and told me to go ahead and lay back on the stretcher. He told me to go ahead and start taking deep breaths and told me I would feel a pinch. Just as soon as he said that, I felt a pinch. It was not really sharp at all. It sent the warmth of adrenaline through my whole body. About a minute later (he was showing the apprentice about entry and exit points so he went a little slower than I would have thought) he told me it was in but to lay still for a few minutes. Something did not not register in my brain because I proceeded to jump to my feet only to find myself really light headed and terribly dizzy. He chuckled again and told me to sit myself back down. He handed me a mirror and told me to look at my new decoration. I loved it. I laid back down until the color had come back in my face and he let me get up. I listened carefully to his care instructions and bought some castile soap and saline solution and gave him a big hug and went on my way out the door.
My friend said I didn't even flinch. I reminded her that I was on good behavior because there was a 6 year old watching me and I didn't want to scare him. She said it looked barbaric (but this is someone who won't even get her ears pierced). The piercing itself was a breeze and the healing part is what stunk. It started throbbing about an hour after I got it done and any time I got near the frozen food aisle at the grocery store it would cook the jewelery off and send tingles throughout my body (kind of like poking yourself in the belly button does). All in all though, I have no complaints.
I recently found a piece of jewelry that I adored. The only problem is that it was a 10 gauge. My hole was only a 14 gauge. It didn't look like that big of a difference so I decided to see if I could get it in myself. I laid back on my couch and put it in...that hurt like hell but I finally got it 3/4 of the way in and had to ram it the rest of the way through. I heard a "pop" and felt the warm blood oozing. I decided that I am not going to do that again myself. However, I got it in and it looks great! That was the goal. Anything that is being done should be done by a professional. There are internal organs that lay under your belly button and I was lucky to not have damaged any of them. Gordon is going to be disappointed with me when I tell him what I did. I am sure I could have had the piece custom made but I was all about instant gratification. Oh well, we live and learn! Thanks for reading my story .
I hope that anyone who is letting the pain factor stop them from getting their navel done reads this becasue it is really a piece of cake. And the pinching afterwards is the worst part...but by the time it comes to that you will have a beautiful piece to look at and adore to minimize the effects of being uncomfortable...I don't even know if I would call it "pain". I've stubbed my toe and felt much more pain.