So, I hopped on the freeway today to run some errands and didn't get off where I intended...so I kept driving to my next destination, San Francisco!! It's a beautiful day—half rainy and half sunny and the journey to San Francisco was pleasant. Anyway, I got off the freeway near my destination and went in search of parking...and SCORE! I found one almost right in front of Body Manipulations (a small miracle!). I jumped out of the car and walked into the shop.
At A Glance Author vgnx Contact vgnx@bme.anon When It just happened Artist Michael Studio Body Manipulations Location San Francisco, CA For those of you unfamiliar with Body Manipulations, it's a very clean, organized, and pleasant atmosphere apparent from the moment you walk in. The floors are made of dark wood, there are glass cases with all sorts of jewelry in the entry way, music playing in the back ground, and the staff are always very friendly. Even the work areas for piercing are pleasantly decorated and well sanitized. The point is that it's a very comfortable place to be to get holes poked in you (or to be branded or cut for that matter)! I highly recommend it!
So, on with my story! I walked into the shop and was greeted by Michael who would be the one to give me my beautiful new piercing. I told him my desire and he gave me the usual form to sign. We discussed jewelry and mutually agreed to go with a 12 gauge curved barbell...well, initially at least. Michael picked out a few sterilized packages of barbells and let me pick out what size balls I wanted on the ends. Happily loaded with metal, we wandered into his work area to begin the real fun. He began setting up all of his stuff—papering the chair (the paper had happy little dinosaurs all over it) and unfolding the stirrups, new needles in their little packages, antibacterial stuff to clean the piercing site, things to mark with (toothpicks and purple 'ink'), and the jewelry. Michael is easy going and even easier to talk to so we chatted through out the procedure--a big part of the whole experience was chatting with a smart (and handsome) gentleman with excellent mods of his own.
I waited until he was completely done setting up before 'disrobing' and climbing up into the chair. Michael took a good look at my junk and began marking me up for a straight up and down style piercing. After determining 'straightness' he determined depth by pinching and poking me (which was probably the most uncomfortable bit of the whole piercing, though he was very professional explaining every moment to me)! Everything was looking good and in place until Michael decided that I needed a longer barbell which was unavailable already curved so after bending up a few straight barbells (with much effort!) he settled on a barbell with a length of 1 1/8 inches, still a 12 gauge, to accommodate swelling and my personal shape.
There was no putting it off now, it was time for the needle. It was difficult for me to watch because of my positioning so there is little I can describe. I will say that this was definitely my most painful piercing at the point of needle insertion but still not anything near unbearable. There was a quick sharp jab and then relief and a little discomfort with inserting the jewelry. Other than the initial sting of the needle this is the most painless piercing I've had—very little discomfort, almost none at all. I wasn't dizzy or shaky and could sit up right away so I got up and took a look in the mirror and behold! there was my beautiful new Isabella!! I loved it instantly! I pulled on my chonies and pants and practically skipped out of the stall. I paid for my new joy and tipped Michael for being so wonderful.
Climbing into my car was no problem and driving back home (90 minutes away!) was nothing—I haven't experienced a moment of real discomfort so far...although, when I walk there is this ever-so-faint and pleasant feeling radiating from that area. There is a little bit of blood but nothing I didn't expect and aftercare is nothing out of the ordinary—mild antibacterial soap cleansing twice a day, salt water soaks a couple times a day (they even provide the sea salt), do not touch except to clean...I'm wearing cotton panties and baggy pants to maintain the comfort level I seem to have achieved and am abstaining from any quick and potentially dangerous movements. Direct sexual contact is out of the question for a whole month and it will be about six months before it is completely healed.
I love this piercing and I recommend Michael and the staff at Body Manipulations for any of your piercing needs...especially if you just 'happen' to be in San Francisco.