I'm 25 now. When I was 18 and still in college, I got my navel pierced. It was an interesting experience I'd like to share.
At A Glance Author anonymous Contact anonymous@bme.anon When Five years ago Studio Picasso Moon Location Adrian, MI USA I attended a small liberal arts, and quite conservative college. I had a boyfriend at the time and he thought it would be "So Hot" if I got a navel ring. I was actually indifferent to the idea. It took some convincing (about 3 weeks worth) then I decided I would do it. When I told my conservative college friends they were like "yeah right". For some reason, that is what made me decide to go for it. I don't like to be doubted I guess. Plus I didn't see what the fuss was. I had heard about other girls getting pierced navels and getting infected, but I knew that wouldn't happen to me.
Although planned for weeks (through begging by my boyfriend at the time), the date of the piercing was spur of the moment. I went to class one day and class was cancelled because the professor was ill. I told my boyfriend, he looked at the clock, hmm, three free wide open hours. He said "let's go get you pierced", I just said "ok".
So we drove to Picasso Moon. He went in and asked if they are piercing today. They said yes and that would be $50. Then we drove to an ATM. On the way back I got nervous for a second. Did I really want to do it? Would it hurt? Then I remembered my friends doubting me, I thought about how cute it would be, and I decided to go for it.
We told the artist (I'm sorry I forgot her name) that I was ready as can be. She looked at my pale, scared face and asked me if I was sure. I was like "uhhhhhh". Yes. She said "let's do it!"
I remember sitting in the chair. There was a big mirror on the wall. I remember thinking, why am I doing this? Then, "I'll like it I know it". The artist had a friend visiting. He kept going, "getting your navel pierced huh?" "Yes". "Pretty cool".
The artist started to tell me how it won't hurt so bad and how the procedure is done. I was half-listening. I wanted to block out how it is done and just focus on making it through. I could tell she knew I didn't want to hear the details.
Eventually, after a long 10 minutes of my life she disappears and comes back with some tools to do the deed. I can't remember everything she had because I was looking at my pale face in the mirror trying not to run out of the room. I remember she was chatting to my boyfriend and her friend about how scared I was acting. I thought I was brave for being there.
I don't remember what was said, but I remember her putting some sort of clamp on my stomach. "No turning back" I thought. I remember feeling slightly dizzy with excitement (maybe fear). After that she disappeared again for a moment. That was the worst part, I was clamped and worried.
Moments later she had a big needle. I was ready. She said some more stuff to me, I was totally not listening, and then she said something about how it would feel. "Ok, I'm ready" is what I remember saying. Next thing I knew there was a pressure type of pain. I looked down and my belly button was full of blood. My stomach churned a little, but overall it wasn't so bad. I did feel some pressure on my stomach but nothing worse than I could handle. The pain lasted for a few minutes while she put a little navel bar in the hole. When she finished the pressure pain went away. I was more in shock than anything. I did it! It wasn't so bad!
I laid there for a minute (as advised, probably due to being obviously getting over shock). After a short period of time she had me stand up and look in the mirror. I liked it! The ring was a little larger than I would have liked but the overall effect was very cool with my stomach. I thanked her.
I remember walking out to the car was a little painful. When I went home I remember I had to lie down for about 2 hours because my stomach area was sore. I was proud that I had it done. My boyfriend thought the result was "hot" and I was "so hot" for getting it done.
A couple days later I showed my friends. They were in shock. "Wow, we can't believe it!" I got a lot of compliments on how it looked. It did look very good. Many girls asked me if it hurt. "A little", I told them which was the truth. I know of four other girls who got their navels pierced after me at the same studio.
After a few months I bought a new navel ring: silver with a baby blue stone. I kept it in for about a year, cleaning it everyday. I've had various rings since then. I've never been infected. It was a great experience!