Today I took a drive with my best friend Emily to Ground Zero Studios in Haledon, New Jersey for a horizontal surface piercing under my belly button. Since my eighteenth birthday was on Tuesday, this was my little birthday present to myself. My buddy, Joe, told me that Pat and Paula (the two main piercers/tattoo artists) were both very skilled. He said that he would trust either of them with his life so I figured that this was the only place I would go to. Also all the places around me would not do surface piercings.
At A Glance Author marissa Contact marissa@bme.anon When N/A Artist Pat Studio Ground Zero Location Haledon, NJ I had called in about a month prior to talk to Paula about what I wanted. At first I wanted a vertical piercing but Paula made me realize that that area would be too problematic because of all the movement. I decided to think it out more. After careful consideration, I decided that a horizontal piercing would probably be more successful. On Wednesday I called the studio again to make sure that anything I would need was available. I talked to Pat this time for a while discussing it. I had two days to get through before I could finally be pierced. These were two VERY SLOW days.
Anyway, I was so incredibly scared that I was actually getting pierced. I dove a lip ring, but I did that myself so I had no idea what this experience would be like. When I got to the shop, my worries subsided. The first thing I noticed was how friendly the inside looked with its bright colors, tons of flash, and artwork on the walls. I saw Pat and I mentioned that I had called in on a few days ago. He immediately remembered our previous conversation. We made some small talk about the crappy radio station playing, putting me at ease and then got to business.
First he warned me that surface piercings are most likely to reject and that I would probably have to retire it. I decided that it was worth it because if it does work, I will have an adorable tummy!! So I filled out the necessary paperwork and I gave him my ID to photocopy. Afterwards he explained the aftercare and gave me a sheet with all the information on it. He picked out a white monofilament barbell and took me into a little room to mark my tummy.
Pat really impressed me with his dedication to doing the best job he could. He made sure that he was satisfied with the placement, then had me look in the mirror to check it out, and then asked Paula what she thought. He allowed my friend to watch, but did not let her take pictures because he did not want to get distracted.
When it was all set, I laid down on a blue doctor-ish-table-bed thing. He did the whole breathe in breathe out deal and started to push the needle through when I exhaled. When he put the needle into my tummy, it hurt. Not too badly, but enough. I thought the worst was over until the taper went in. I was not exactly watching the whole procedure so I am not quite sure of all that happened next. All I know is that Pat had a hard time inserting the barbell. He said it was too flexible and just would not go in. I was in terrible pain but Pat was so nice and caring that I bore with it. He asked Paula to help out which she did. She soon realized that it would not work with the barbell selected. Pat went and got a curved barbell instead and threw out the monofilament one. Paula inserted it for me and when it was all over, I had a cute little piercing with purple markings surrounding it. Paula thought it looked very cute as well.
Pat apologized for the complications but I understood. The pain was mostly over when the balls were screwed on and soon it was only a stinging sensation. Pat let me lie down for as long as I needed until I felt all right.
Afterwards I also got my nipples pierced but I will save that for a separate experience.
I paid and talked to Pat about coming back if there was anything about my piercing that bothered me. He also made sure he answered all my questions before Emily and I left. I made sure to give him a generous tip.
Overall I am very happy with my surface piercing. I think that through all the pain, I came out knowing more about my tolerance for pain and myself in general. The bonus is the adorable tummy I have now! I just hope that I baby it enough to keep it for a while.