At A Glance Author anonymous Contact anonymous@bme.anon When A month ago Studio Chicago Tattooing & Piercing Location Chicago, IL I had seen pics of guiches and thought they looked SO sexy...and then found out that they're fairly functional piercings as well. After a weight loss of almost 60 lbs, I decided that I had waited long enough for a private piercing...and so I drove the 60 mi to Chicago to find someone to do the deed.
I walked in and was asked what I wanted. "I'd like to get a guiche", I said to the counter girl, somewhat cautiously, as I didn't know how popular / often the piercing was done. She smiled and said "oh, sure!" I asked if this was something the piercer had done much of; she replied that he had, and pulled out a portfolio for me to look at. Unfortunately, it did not contain any examples of guiches, although the displayed work looked good.
So, after filling out the requisite paperwork, I met the piercer. He was very personable, and asked what type of jewelry I wanted. I thought I'd have to go with a barbell, but both he and the counter girl assured me that a CBR could be done easily. He recommended a 12ga, and said I probably wouldn't notice it more than a 14ga. However, as this was a first piercing, and I knew *where* the piercing was going, and the 12ga looked so big to me, I decided to stay with the 14ga. It was a decision I would have some regret over (more on this later), but with that, the jewelry was autoclaved, while he and I went into the private piercing area.
The area was clean - not a 'hospital' environment, but it wasn't far from it, either. Alex explained that the piercing was a bit awkward; I would have to get on all fours on the table. This didn't bother me...while modesty was about to be thrown to the wind, I figured that it would be short-lived, and if he was willing to pierce me there, I was willing to assume the position. I also wanted the piercing very badly, and decided to swallow my pride. So off went the shorts and up I went on the table.
I had shaved the area earlier that day, so he had a clean canvas to work with. He asked if I wanted it higher or lower - I had wanted it closer to my anus, so I said 'higher'. He looked at the area a bit, cleaned it with an antiseptic, and made some initial marks. He then gave me a hand mirror, where I could look at the placement. From what I could see, it looked good, and gave him the go-ahead.
The clamps were placed, and I'm now getting a little apprehensive inside, because I know the needle is coming...and I don't know what to expect exactly; I only had others' accounts of what it was like. But since I had had tattoos done on several occasions, and handled that very well, I figured I could endure the relatively short-lived pain of piercing. "Oh, well", I thought..."if it doesn't work out, I can always remove it, and the holes will close up".
The piercer had me take 3 deep breaths & release each one. On the 3rd, the needle went in.
The first moment was reminiscent of getting a shot at the doctor's office. A sharp prick, nothing bad. Then I started to feel a bit more, as the needle passed through. As the pain got progressively worse, I started growling my discomfort, thinking that either there was a lot more 'to go', or something had gone wrong. But as soon as I did, the piercer said..."we're done...the worst part's over. Just have to put the jewelry in". And as he said this, it *did* stop hurting. The entire time was probably between 2-5 seconds total.
Next, the jewelry was inserted and fastened in place. A little cleaning with some more antiseptic, and it was time for the hand mirror again. Wow! Now I had what I had longed for - and the pain wasn't bad at all, in retrospect! Placement looked great. And as I looked at it, I could feel the endorphins kicking in. It was as if I wanted to show everyone around me my new piercing. But I held off, listened to the aftercare instructions, got a printed copy of same, paid and headed home.
Once I got home, I decided to inspect the handiwork. Unlike at the studio, my 'natural' folds of skin in my scrotal region caused the ring to hang slightly to the left. While the pierce *was* placed in the centerline of the raphe, as far as I could tell, the net effect was to have a pierce that *looked* off. Hopefully, it will heal up and look 'centered' again. I did notice that there was no blood to speak of.
The first day was fairly uneventful. But the second day brought the initial pain - pain that I was to endure for 3 1/2 weeks, as the guiche slowly started to heal. Each day brought more discomfort - by the 3rd week, it was hurting to walk. The sea salt soaks did help, but I had to function in the world, too. I started to give serious consideration to taking the ring out, and being done with it. And then, the pain went away...almost overnight. I did notice that the position of the ring made a difference - if it was facing 'down', it was a lot more painful as I'd move about during the day. But if it was neutral or 'up', hardly any discomfort.
After an especially irritating day, I had noticed that the one side had an elongated hole, relative to it's brother - and it was keloiding. In the 'down' position, it had rubbed against the inner tissue and started causing a granuloma. So I began to fasten the ring in the 'up' position by loosely covering it with a bandage. If I ever have another one done (my original plan was to have a series of three), I will use this method at the first sign of irritation, and would recommend it after you've gotten through the crusties (of which I had surprisingly few). Each time I do this, the tissue on the affected side responds very favorably. But I don't want to have to do this the rest of my life, either.
6 weeks after the guiche was done, I decided to have my nipples done. By this time, I had found out that another shop was the one in highest regard in the area, and so I went there. While I was there, I discussed the guiche with the piercer. He mentioned that Mederma was really good to deal with the keloiding, based on what he saw with one of his other clients, so I will get some of that and try it. But I want all of the residual bleeding from the granuloma gone before I start applying the Mederma.
I still love the piercing; it's fun to play with, looks hot, and my partner likes it as well. But it can be a bitch to heal, because of where it's at. As long as one is aware of that going in, then there should be no disappointments. I'm told in about 6 more weeks, I can size up - I'm hoping I can get to 10 ga, and eventually stretch to 8.