I had been itching for a new piercing for quite some time, and had narrowed it down to either a nape or a cleavage bar. Thanks to this website, I was able to check out all the experiences and photos posted. Since I have long hair, it was decided the cleavage bar would be the safer route. Otherwise, my hair could get tangled in the nape jewelry...and generally would be a big mess. Having already pierced my ears a few times, nose, labret, bellybutton, and eyebrow, I wanted something a bit more extreme. Plus, the guys told me it would be hot :) Of course, I'm not exactly large-chested. There wasn't much cleavage to work with, but there was enough.
At A Glance Author Laura W. Contact sassy4535@hotmail.com When It just happened Artist Nick Studio Expo (In Merle Hay Mall) Location Des Moines, IA I only knew one girl who had it done, and she happens to have the highest pain tolerance in the world. She'd had it pierced for a few months, and it seemed to be doing well. Even so, quite a few people tried to talk me out of it. They said it would reject, leave huge scars, be ugly, etc. It certainly made me more nervous, but I knew this was something I wanted. Sure, it might reject...but it might not. Wouldn't it be worth the experience to find out? Scars? Bah. And I think these piercings look beautiful.
I was all nerves, but I knew the piercer well and had two friends to gawk at me/support me. Nick was going to use a 14g barbell, approx. 2 inches long. He bent both ends up a little less than half an inch, to allow for proper swelling and healing - a less bent barbell will be put in after I heal.
After cleaning and prepping the skin, he marked me and let me check it out in the mirror, to be sure I approved. The placement was just about a half inch above my bra, and an inch and a half wide (vertically). By the time I was clamped, with the needle in his hand, I was so excited and nervous I thought I was going to pass out. But I laid back and took a deep breath, and the needle pushed in. I felt it go in and come out, but didn't feel anything in between. The pain was pretty intense, but moreso I just felt a pressure, as if someone had put a pile of bricks on my chest. Once the needle was through, I looked down and laughed at the blood all over my chest, as my friend Chelsea hyperventilated next to me. Apparently the piercing looked pretty gruesome, but as soon as I saw it I fell in love. I think she was much more disturbed than I was. Then he slid the jewelry in and wiped the blood away. After explaining aftercare, I was admiring my shiny new chest in the mirro r. So pretty!
The rest of the night, I was very sore. The pressure continued, and I was terrified of something, anything, hitting my chest. A word of caution: seatbelts are not your friend in a situation like this. I had to keep it tucked under my arm. I REALLY wish I had thought to bring along Aspirin...or Aleve...or Advil...haha. Anything would have been nice. I'm also on my toes about snagging it, whether on a shirt button-hole, in my hair, or on a bedsheet. I cannot even imagine the pain I would be in! Oh yeah, did I mention the pain? The pain?!?
I usually sleep on my stomach, so it'll be a bit of an adjustment to sleep on my side and/or back. Brian recommended I prop myself up by putting pillows along the wall my bed is against, and sortof cradling myself in. I'd be comfortable, and it would lessen the chance of rolling around in my sleep. I'm tempted to just duct tape something over the piercing, a little plastic bowl or something, just to be on the safe side! :)
All in all, the situation was positive. I can't stop looking at it - so pretty! Though it does look a little funny right now, with the bars sticking out...oh well, a few weeks and it'll be changed. I just pray it doesn't reject. Either way, I'll have had the experience. If anyone in the Des Moines area is looking for a piercing, I would definitely recommend Nick at Expo in Merle Hay Mall. He knows what he's doing, and everything there is very sanitary. If you're lucky, I'll be lurking there...trying to decide what to pierce next.
Feel free to e-mail me. I'd be happy to answer any questions, and should be posting a picture of my new adornment soon.
Also, does anyone know if it would be wiser to use a barbell with plastic instead of metal for the bar itself? I hear this may lessen the chance or rejection.