Back in 1994, I was still in my twenties and I had been thinking for a few years about getting a mod. When I was in college, I had pierced my left ear twice (the first time was done by my roommate when we were both drunk and then, after it closed up, by a gun in a jewelry shop; the second one, also when I was drunk, was a solo effort). After a few years, I stopped wearing the earrings as I began to notice that everybody was wearing them.
At A Glance Author Steve Contact Steve@bme.anon When Ten years ago or more Studio Andromeda Location New York Now, back to my story. After some thinking, I had decided that I wanted a genital piercing. I decided in early 1994 that the precise type of piercing I wanted was a Prince Albert. It appealed to me on a few levels: It was something I was pretty certain I would not be seeing all over the place; It was something nobody else needed to know about (so it would no affect my career) unless I so desired; and, it had the possibility of adding some new sensations to my (eventual at that time) sex life.
That summer, after doing some research, I went to Venus Body Arts in the East Village. I selected my jewelry and went into the room, took off my pants (and underpants) and lay down on the table. The piercer came in and marked a spot. I took a look and agreed that it looked right. I was on the table with my pants down waiting for the needle and I lost the ability to breathe. The piercer gave me a few minutes. But, when he returned, I was breathing but nauseous. I told him I was not going to be able to continue. The shop was very nice and refunded every penny.
A few months later, September 25 to be precise, I finally worked up the nerve to try again. I was embarrassed by how my experience had gone at Venus Body Arts. This time, I tried a shop in the West Village by the name of Cassiopia on West 8th Street. The woman there said that while they did piercings, that type of piercing was handled by their sister shop, Andromeda, on St. Mark's Place.
So, I walked across the village and went to Andromeda. As I was walking in to the shop, two girls who looked to be in their late teens walked out, giggling and talking about a nipple piercing. I realized I was alone in the shop (except for the staff). This made me relax a little more as I did not need to concern myself with others. I explained what I wanted to do and was brought into the piercing room.
I discussed the piercing with piercer and he recommended my jewelry (captive bead ring, I do not recall the size). He had me pull down my pants. I lay down on the table and the piercer marked the spot. At that point, he asked me if I was sure. I thought for a second (though it seemed much longer) and told him to go ahead. I felt the prick of the needle and then a pain that was both stronger and more focused than any pain I have experienced - since or previously. I recall about five seconds of the very sharp pain. Then, as the pain subsided (there was a slight throbbing feeling that was a residual of the original pain), I felt the ring go through the hole and come out the end of my penis. The piercer quickly placed the bead in the ring and told me it was done. He brought over a mirror and I looked down. It looked good. But, there was a lot more blood than I had expected.
After getting bandaged up, I went to work. I was working at a political campaign as the night receptionist. I remember feeling very weak that night and barely finishing my shift. At one point, I went to the bathroom and put some paper towels over the original dressing because my underwear had already become very bloody.
The piercing bled for about three days and then healed very quickly and nicely. I took the jewelry out for a few years because my wife was uncomfortable with it. In 2000, I decided it was time to put it back in. So, I went shopping for a new ring. I found a 10ga and convinced my wife to give it another try. She did and, while she sometimes complains that it is unwieldy, manages to enjoy herself with (or despite) the ring.
I have since upgraded the ring to a circular barbell - 6 gauge and one inch. My wife has adapted. She still tells me not to go any bigger. One of these days, I will ignore that request.