Two months ago in the middle of the summer, my best friend and I were at the mall shopping and we passed by one of those body jewelry stands. We were just looking at the stuff they had, but what caught both of our eyes at the same were the belly button rings. We looked at each other and at the same time said "When do you wanna do it?!"
At A Glance Author anonymous When A month ago Artist James Studio Flat's Location Groton, CT The only problem was that I'm deathly afraid of needles, and I knew my dad would literally disown me if I ever pierced anything other than my ears. I asked him about it and he threatened to stop paying my college tuition if I got my belly button pierced! He tried to scare me by saying that it would get infected, but I just shrugged it off. I decided to do it without telling him -- since I am 18 and don't need my parents consent anymore for piercing.
I did some online research, looking at all the stories, reading about reputable tattoo parlors, but mostly shopping for belly button rings! After we were both completely sure we wanted the piercing, we went to Flat's in Groton just to check it out for ourselves. We walked in and a man at the counter asked if he could help us out with anything. We asked him about belly button rings and about the procedure. He was actually the body piercer, and said it would take about 15 minutes tops for the both of us, and that it would cost $45 each. I asked about any anesthetic and he said no! He made us very comfortable, but unfortunately that day we didn't have the time to do it. We asked for his name and he said James. He gave us his personal hours, and we decided to go back the following week. I doubt he actually thought we would go back!
Exactly one week later we went back to Flat's, this time with another best friend (just for moral support!). We went in and saw James right away. He led us back to the piercing room right away. He was extremely relaxed and talking to him calmed me down immensely. As soon as we got to the room he started to clean all of his instruments in front of us so we could be sure that everything was fully sanatized.
I knew I was going to chicken out, so I went first. I stood up as he cleaned the area around my navel and as he marked two dots where the needle would go. Then he put the clamp on, which people say is more annoying than the actual needle itself but it wasn't, and then I lied on the bed in the corner. He told me to take 3 deep breaths and on the third exhale the needle went through! I was so surprised that it was practically painless!
I wanted to touch it right away but James threatened to beat me up if I did. He says he was joking, but still. Touching the ring will only introduce germs to the area. My friend went next and said she couldn't even feel the needle. Once she was done he gave us the information on keeping it clean. He said to use a saline wound cleaner from CVS and to wash it with antibacterial soap in the shower.
Everything was fine a few days later, until less than a week after getting the piercing I decided to go for a midnight swim in a chlorine pool. Not the best idea, especially since I didn't clean the area right after, or anytime that night. The next morning the entire area was in pain and somewhat swollen. I went to work that night and the pain was so extreme -- not from the ring, but the area around -- I wanted to cry.
After two days of excruciating pain, I went to my dad. He wasn't that upset, but got me antibiotics from a doctor. I took them for about 2 weeks, and now everything is back to normal. I only clean it 2 or 3 times a day, because over cleaning can cause irritation.
I can't wait to change the ring and put in a barbell -- but I'm going to wait a little while because of the infection I did have. I'm so happy with the ring, though, and I'm even contemplating a nose ring these days -- a nostril stud, that is. It's an addiction! If you're having seconds guesses about doing it, I say you should go for it! If you don't like it at the end, you can always get rid of it, unlike a tattoo. My advice is to stay away from pools, and clean it the best you can. And don't touch it!