I've been thinking about a surface piercing for a while now and I knew that BME was the best place to look and do some research. I found some pictures and some experiences and read through them, reading what others felt and different methods. There really wasn't a reason why I wanted a Madison other than I wanted it for myself.
At A Glance Author Vitamin P Contact vitaminp@pot.com IAM Vitamin P When A month ago Artist kungfugreg Studio Evolution Body Piercing Location Woonsocket, RI I already knew who I was going to have do the procedure, Gregg from Evolution Body Piercing in Woonsocket, RI. I called him up and explained to him that I wanted a Madison piercing, I read that you can do it either by scalpling or piercing, I asked Gregg what would be the best way to do this and he suggested piercing because it's less likely to reject and the skin can heal properly around it.
I made plans for Wednesday the 3rd around 7pm, and for that day when I made my appointment up until it was time to get pierced my adrenalin was rushing through my veins, I couldn't wait to get poked! I took my best friend frank with me to take pictures, we met Gregg and while I filled out the paperwork he got what he needed. Someone else came in so Gregg had to take of that first since an eyebrow piercing would take a lot less time then doing a Madison and a lobe stretch from 2ga to 0ga. (I tried the shower stretch method, but I could only get in one tunnel.) Once he was done with the other person, he threw what he needed into the autoclave and we were waiting till it was ready, time for my last smoke.
When the supplies were ready, we went into the piercing room, I sat on the table and took off my shirt so Gregg could get an accurate place with the most tissue so it won't reject. Gregg began to get everything ready and first started to clean my neck with some iodine and some other cleansers, then proceeded to mark the entry and exit holes, when done I got up to look into the mirror to make sure that everything was even. Now I was ready to get pierced, I laid back down on the table and the clamps were applied, Gregg did some final checking making sure the surface bar wouldn't put too much pressure on the wound so it would heal properly and making sure that everything was set and ready to go. With that done Gregg told me to take some deep breaths and on about the 4th exhale he pierced. All I felt was a slight pinch and then some pressure; but hey it's painful to be beautiful. With the needle all the way through, it was time for the surface bar, Gregg attached the guidi ng rod to one end of the surface bar and then inserted that into the piercing needle and pulled it through and then the other side, then screwed on the beads. When Gregg was finished cleaning up I sat up and looked and was happy with what I saw, a new addition to the family...say hello to Madison. Gregg then went over the aftercare procedure with me, told me how long the healing process is, in about a year it should completely healed, he also talked about cleaning it with Provon in the shower and saline at night, as well as not to touch the jewelry unless making sure the balls are still tight, or move it. Also he mentioned that it will be red for about the first month around the holes, but it should start to clear in a few weeks.
It's been almost 3 weeks since I've had the Madison and everything is like Gregg explained it, the redness is subsiding, but I'm going to stick with the cleaning procedure for at least 8 months, I don't want this to reject although if it does, then I'll probably get re-pierced under the scar tissue. Hopefully the scar tissue will help keep it in.
The most discomfort I felt was when Gregg was marking my neck for the piercing, It felt like someone was scratching my neck with a piece of glass, but when it came time to do the actual procedure, there wasn't any discomfort when the clamps were applied or even when he pierced me.
For the first few days, there was some minor itching and I could feel it when I would turn my neck, but as time goes on, those feelings fade. The only thing I have to be conscious about is to make sure that the collar of my shirt does not get hung up on the Madison piercing, make sure no-one touches it and not to sleep on my stomach for a few weeks, although now being 3 weeks into it, it's getting easier to sleep on my stomach.
Many thanks to Gregg at Evolution Body Piercing in Woonsocket, RI and BME for helping me become what I am today.