I have Type 1 diabetes. I have had it for 21 years. I also have 3 body modifications and plans to get more as money permits. Diabetics have long been told to not have body mods or tattoos but the care and treatment of diabetes and wounds have dramatically changed the policy on diabetics as a human canvas for art. I am also 33 years old, 4 feet 10 inches tall, 140 lbs, so I'm no skinny pretty girl, and am a wife and the mother to a 19 month old son who is hyper and insane and uses me as a trampoline. I am not the typical person to have piercings or tattoos.
At A Glance Author WhippersnapperPixie Contact pixie@charterchemical.com When A week ago Artist Khaos of Southern Daze and www.piercemekhaos.com Studio 1763 Location Metro Atlanta, GA I became interested in mods 10 years ago when a girl in college mentioned she had pierced her nipple herself and although her experience was a bad one and her 18 gage earring had to be removed from her nipple, I was fascinated by the idea of nipple piercing and navel piercings, not to mention my lifelong dream of having a tattoo. I started doing research in 1995 and it took me until 2005 to do anything about my interest and just do it.
I wear an insulin pump, a pager-sized device that attaches to my subcutaneous tissue via a Teflon catheter and administers my insulin directly into me like a manually controlled pancreas. The pump allows me freedom and spares me from taking insulin injections. I have no fear or hatred of needles, they keep me alive, but I prefer not shooting up insulin all the time and just inserting a cathether needle once every few days to change the site of my insulin pumps infusion site. I have tight control of my diabetes and am in excellent health and after 21 years of dealing with the "Diabeastie" have no complications. Tight control is necessary to proper healing of any diabetic body modification. I spoke with my endocrinologist and family doctor about body modifications and they gave me their blessings and friendly warnings to be fastidious about aftercare and see them if there were any problems.
Last Friday the 13th, I went to Whippersnappers at 1763 to see a presentation and demo of body mods. I was also the volunteer for an extensive play piercing that inserted 120 needles into my back to create fabulous fairy wings. After the play piercing was done, I went forth and took the leap. I got my nipples and navel pierced. My navel was pierced first. The materials were laid out on the surgical tray, the needles sat in the surgi-lube like little missiles. Gauze pads were on the standby in case of bleeding and both piercer, the fabulous Khaos, and myself were clean-handed and latex-gloved. The site was cleansed with alcohol and the clamp applied. No big deal. It was pierced, again, no big deal. I had endured an induced natural labor that was done in record time, a literally 20 minute labor, one push, no tearing, so my belly button was a cakewalk. Pretty 14g titanium banana barbell inserted. Beautiful, despite it being red and sore and getting infected 7 days later. I am being treated for it and will not and have not removed the piercing to allow it to drain as it is healing. My Dr.s still approve of my choice to have the piercings.
Then it was nipple time. I was refusing to chicken out. First nipple to be done was left. Clamps were not tight enough for me, would have preferred tighter clamps to have the clamps be the distraction and worst part. Closed my eyes and took a deep breath in and then forcefully blew the breath out as the needle went through my large ugly nipple. There was intense white-hot searing pain, for all of two seconds, and then there was nothing but a nipple magically transformed into a piece of art that celebrated my womanhood and motherhood. Repeat breathing, all the while Khaos was making him talk to him to distract me. Right nipple hurt for three horrible seconds and then was painless. No blood, no problems. A week later, they are healing beautifully and are perfect. I am still wearing towels in my bra to deal with the minor crusties I have but there has been no pain or soreness in days and whenever my nipples brush against anything like the kitchen counters (I'm short, it happens all the time), it tickles. There is incredible hypersensitivity in my once barely sensitive nipples.
My blood sugar has not has any reactions to my piercings, or even the infection in my navel piercing and I am making an effort to make sure my blood sugar levels stay normal at all times and eating a healthy diet and taking my medications are required. I am also taking Vitamin E capsules for skin health. I do occasionally take Advil for my navel but "the girls" look fabulous! My 19-month old bounces onto my lap many many times a day, which irritates my piercings a little, but he has learned to not grab my breasts finally! If only he would be as kind to my navel! I am using antibacterial soap to cleanse my mods twice a day and using sea salt soaks twice a week as recommended by my piercer.
I am very pleased with my piercing experience, the minor quick pain is worth the self-beautification and even an infection can be treated and survived if diabetic. I urge all diabetics considering body mods to speak with their physicians and get permission, and some ethical piercers will not even work on a diabetic without a Dr.s note. A diabetic who does not give a rat's ass about their diabetes and does not have good circulation should not undergo any body modifications and risks infection and serious problems. You must be responsible for your body and it's care so it is best to inform your physicians about anything you plan to do with my body that will become part of it, just like your diabetes. I have no regrets and am already looking forward to showing them my new piercings next week!