About 10 years ago I self pierced my navel. It wasn't too bad, but after about 4 months it started migrating. I repierced it a bit deeper, and used other jewelry, but I guess the combination of self piercing, inappropriate jewelry and being slightly overweight was not the ideal situation for a successful navel piercing.
At A Glance Author Dave Contact Dave@bme.anon IAM witte When A week ago Artist Steve Studio Steve Location Liège, Belgium Over the years I got many other piercings, but I never touched the navel area. The scars there were still visible (mainly red lines, no deformation). Last year I got a nice horizontal pubic surface piercing by Steve. I know these piercings can have a tendency to grow out, so I wanted it to be placed by some one with experience and using the correct jewelry. Steve works here in town, and I've been there before. I met him at a tattoo festival the day before, so I made an appointment for 2 chest piercings. I told him I'd like to get my navel done at the same time.
I went there on a tuesday, knowing I had to leave the country (holiday to a hot and humid place and a 9 hour flight) 1 day later, but I have so little spare time, so I went ahead with it anyway.
Steve is a cool guy, and he has a relaxed attitude, a good piercing technique. His studio could be a bit more tidy but is otherwise OK.
Except my pubic piercing, all others are more or less at 3.2 or 4 mm at the moment. That seems to be a diameter that suits me. It doesn't "cut" in the body, it's stable, but still not too heavy. And I think that when one day I'll take out the jewelry, the scar will be acceptable. So I wanted my navel at 4 mm too. Steve said he could pierce at 3.2 or even 4 mm. I was in a good (lets say courageous) mood, so I agreed on the 4 mm.
So the more or less 24 mm diameter and 4 mm thick ball closure ring was prepared , and the 2 spots marked on belly. I had pre disinfected this area, and I shaved away some naughty hair. I asked Steve to pierce as deep as possible. The points he placed were quite deep, but I had imagined they should be deeper. My theory, for what it's worth, is that a big guy like me should get a big ring, quite deep, and that this would be the best defense against migration. I'm not sure I'm right there, but that's what I wanted to try. I have no experience with punching.
Steve applied some cold stuff to avoid pain, but just a little (I don't need it). He disinfected twice. He then prepared the short needle, which looked huge (is that really 4 mm ?) Steve explained this needle was also used to place some suspension hooks. He then applied the clamps (not painful for me). He then asked to breath in and he pierced. It was a strange pain, spreading all over the area, not a sharp local pain. Because I had had my 2 surface chest piercings just 10 minutes before I guess I was still under the influence of some endorphines. Putting in the ring was quite easy. I jumped up and looked in the mirror. Very nice, although I realize more then ever I should loose some weight. The ring is so big it protrudes a bit, and can be notice when I wear a tight shirt. On my way home I lost a few drops of blood (I forgot to put a bandage on it). I got back home and immediately took a photo. I even got one while still in the car.
We are 2 weeks later now, and healing is OK. I can't say it's fully healed, because the skin around the upper hole remains quite red and there are some crusties. But there is no pain and no swelling further down. The lower hole looks very nice. I guess that in a few weeks time it will all be healed. Because I was traveling (long flights, hot and humid countries, hotel swimming pools, underdeveloped areas, ...) I guess I'm lucky I got this far already. I used Isobetadine (diluted), alcohol swabs (when nothing else was available), Dettol solution, HAC, pure water, ... whatever was practical.
The looks I got when entering a swimming pool in China were great (as I explained in the chest experience). Some Chinese people like to stare, and this was definitely something they hadn't seen yet (at least not on a male person, and not at this diameter). Great fun. I do not advise to go to public swimming pools with fresh piercings, certainly not in places with slightly lower hygienic standards.
If you are a IAM member you can have access to my page (click on the top right side) and you can have a look at the pics there.