There are a lot of reasons for getting piercings, especially if it's an apadravya, even more so if it goes right through the middle of the penis shaft! You might not be interested in my reasons, but if you're considering a piercing as extreme as this, then my experience with it might be of interest at least. Here goes.
At A Glance Author AspenDude Contact AspenDude@yahoo.com When A month ago Artist Tom Brazda Studio Stainless Studios Location Toronto, ON [e.mail me if you'd like to discuss this experience and ask questions. I'm quite enthusiastic and will answer as best I can.]
GETTING READY FOR THE PIERCING
For me at least, safety was a top consideration. That meant finding a piercer who understood how to pierce through the penis shaft, and had experience doing it. There aren't many to be found, so my search was short and sweet. Since all the options meant travel, I made the few calls and chose the expert who, it turns out, works outside the US: at Stainless Studios in Toronto. We set up the appointment.
When I got to Canada, I started looking for excuses to not show up. Foremost, worry (fear?) that something might go wrong. Or that I'd regret getting it done. The weather seemed to be sending a warning, too: raw, cold and rainy. Not very welcoming. After procrastination and biting my nails short, I finally got into the shop and met my piercing expert, Tom.
We (mostly Tom) spent a full 30 minutes talking about recovery, healing and after-care. He was quite serious and reminded me that, without proper after-care, the penis could develop an infection, gangrene and potentially need to be removed. While a full penectomy is something I'd consider in the future, I don't want it to be the result of an emergency hospital visit due to gangrene! So, I listened intently to Tom.
Next, Tom explained how he was going to pierce through my shaft. The explanation took a few minutes, he was quite detailed, but my mind was whirling and I didn't really pay attention. Now, in a calmer state, I can tell you the steps. He first planned to create a small hole to explore the top of the penis, in order to locate the major blood vessel that flows there. Knowing its position, he would be able to insert the piercing needle (in small gauge) to avoid hitting that vessel – to minimize bleeding and maximize healing. He told me inserting the piercing needle would be a slow, manual procedure, because he'd be going through different layers of tissue, fibers and ultimately, the urethra itself. Next, he would insert a taper, to expand the hole one size larger and help reduce bleeding. After inserting the taper, the plan was to insert a second piercing needle, same size as the taper, as a way to convey the jewelry. So, the jewelry would follow the second needle, and o nly the bottom ball would need to be attached. That was the plan.
In some ways, this piercing was almost 3 piercings-in-one, since it involved inserting first the original piercing needle, then the taper, then a larger needle with the jewelry! And, it was all manual – no clamps, nothing else to help it be smooth and easy. While using clamps and just jamming a needle through the shaft promised to be quicker and more merciful, Tom said freehand would allow him to adjust to the situation as needed. In the name of safety, I submitted to his recommendation.
AND NOW, I HAVE A NEW BUDDY
We got started, and everything went as planned. Overall, it was not comfortable at all. There was nothing fun about it, and there's nothing to recommend about it. But if you want the coolest piercing that's out there for a guy, you just have to tough it out, and live with the pain and utter helplessness. For just a few minutes.
An interesting aside. Tom had to stop at one point because he was using so much force to insert the taper that he was hurting his own hand. I looked, and there was a dangerous-looking indent in his thumb where he had been pushing on the taper. Despite the strength of a substantial fully-grown man, the piercing tools would not advance further into the shaft. He solved the problem eventually but it is worth noting to expect huge amounts of pressure as your piercer tries to make the needle and taper go through tissue that really would prefer not having a metal bar run through it.
There was one very intense moment. Suddenly, as if I'd been hit by lightening, or caught by an electric current, I felt a jarring shock. It was not concentrated in the penis, but spread across my entire body. The shock hit my shoulders, hands, feet, neck, fingers, back, the entire length of my legs: everywhere. My whole body tingled for 5 or 10 seconds after that shock, like a leg falling asleep. It was not exactly pain, but it was weird and not a feeling to repeat in the future. I told him to hold up for a minute, and did not quite faint (but almost did - he confirmed my face was completely white like the sheet I was sitting on). One of the strangest things I've experienced, and he commented guys getting apadravyas (usually not through the shaft, he rushed to add) sometimes experience that "shock" sensation, just as I had done. So, be ready.
The jewelry was in. To stay.