After being interested in an ampallang piercing for quite some time I decided that it was time to get it done. My usual piercer has not done many of these so I decided to try and find a different piercer with lots of experience doing this particular piercing.
At A Glance Author Nick C Contact Nick C@bme.anon When It just happened Artist Brian Studio Sacred Body Arts Location New York City One day, while reading all of the ampallang experiences here on BME, and I do mean ALL of them, I saw one that was also done in NYC, at Sacred Tattoo & Body Art on Canal Street and Broadway, by Brian.
I decided to go to the shops web site and send them an email. I got a response the next day and they answered all of the questions I had, and told me Brian would be in on the day I wanted to come. I chose to have it done on a Saturday so I could rest that day and Sunday, Before going back to class on Monday.
I wanted to get a 10 gauge piercing, that would be transurethral, and in the email he told me that was recommended so I was in good shape there!
I drove into the city encountering some of the worst traffic I have ever experienced on the West Side highway in my life, AND I AM IN THE CITY EVERYDAY! But this was not going to stop me.
I arrive at the shop and walk upstairs, 2 tattoo artists were busy so I sat myself down in a chair and waited. A moment later someone came walking in and asked if I needed help, I said yes is Brian here? And he told me that was him. I told him about the email I had sent and what I wanted and he said no problem right this way.
We went into the piercing room and he told me he needed to autoclave the jewelry which would take about 20 minutes, so he did that, and I asked him if he had a 8 gauge 5/8" barbell because I was sick of the ring I had in my frenum, and he sent me across to the street to their jewelry supplier. I purchased that, went in the bathroom and put it in and then went to Burger King and got a cherry slurpee to get my blood sugar level up. After some aimless walking I walked back to the shop and at the same time he walked back too and we went to the autoclave and he said "Wow right on time!"
He had me fill out the forms and then told me to give him a minute while he set everything up, this is when the anxiousness and nervousness finally sets in! To help amuse myself and get my mind off of what was about to happen I looked through Brian's portfolio and saw all the amazing work he has done, including an awesome ear spiral through 3 holes which I think I am going back for, as well as a bunch of awesome surface piercings, which I may need to add to my repertoire!
Anyway, he called me in and I jumped on the table and laid down. He told me I could take my pants off or just pull it through, I chose the latter. He was marking me up and explaining the procedure to me and also told me to keep breathing at regular intervals, in through the nose, out through the mouth, which would help relax me, and it did. I was put into a zen like state.
He then told me that he will be piercing at 11 gauge and then immediately stretching to 10 which will help lessen the bleeding, and I said this was fine.
Now the fun part: the clamps! Brian told me he only uses then as an extension of his fingers and they will not be too tight, and that made me happy! I have read things about clamps causing unneeded pain and even tissue damage.
The clamps were put on, and they were very bearable, not too tight at all and he checked wit me to make sure I was okay, and I said that they didn't even hurt.
He then told me he would be lining up the needle and I would feel the tip of it on my skin but he wasn't going to surprise me not to worry. After it was lined up he told me to take a deep breath in and he began to pierce...
The Pain? It was pretty minimal until he hit the urethra which it then started burning, which increased in intensity until it was almost too much to handle and then it all subsided as the needle came through the other side, just as quick as it came, it left. I had one hand around the edge of the table grasping onto the edge of it and that helped me a lot.
It wasn't as bad as I was expecting, I mean it didn't tickle, but it was definitely bearable.
I lifted my head and looked down and it was quite a site to see that 11 gauge needle right through the head my penis!
Now the stretch to 10... After Brian making sure I was okay, which I was, and even laughed telling him I thought it was going to be a lot worse, and he said everyone always does, he told me he was inserting the taper.
Then I felt something that was a little uncomfortable and said was that the taper? He said nope that was the jewelry you're all set!
I don't know when he stretched because I had my eyes closed concentrating on my breathing but it obviously didn't hurt, I don't know if it was the endorphins or what but I had never felt it - and I'm not complaining!
He screwed the ball on and then bandaged me up and explained aftercare and even gave me a bag of sea salt. He told me this barbell is long and he likes to put long ones in to make sure people are not using them too soon because its almost impossible! HE told me to come back in a month and he would change it out for me. I thanked him and we walked out of the room to the register.
I paid, it was $65 and I gave him 90 and told him to keep the change for himself. He counted it to put in the register and put it down on the counter and said "Hey I cant take this, it's way too much." I told him it was for him, since he did such a great job and made me feel totally comfortable during the whole procedure and I wanted him to have it. He said it again and I told him I was going to leave it on the counter and walk out if he didn't take it, and he finally gave in and took it and thanked me... I thanked him and then I was on my merry way, a newly pierced man!
It is now about four and a half hours later and it feels like nothing is even there. It isn't sore at all and on my last check for blood there was none. I have not urinated yet, which I am sure will be an interesting experience, and will be performing my first sea salt soak in a little bit!
To those who want to get this piercing, id say go for it, but find a piercer that has done them before and is reputable, like in my case! It does hurt, but it is not bad and is over pretty quickly.
I highly recommend Brian to anyone in the NYC area for any piercing's, he makes you feel very comfortable and definitely knows what he is doing one hundred percent! He goes the extra mile to ensure that the piercee is comfortable and has a wonderful piercing experience! I have already referred a friend to him who is going to Sacred tomorrow for his first piercing ever - his frenum! Sacred is a wonderful studio, amazingly clean and a huge selection of jewelry, and again I strongly urge you to stop by if you are in the NYC area!
And after a job well done - always tip your piercer! :)