It's been a while since I've submitted anything so this might be a little rusty. Anyway, one day I decided it was time for a new piercing. I do this a lot, and I do it on impulse. That night I called Kathy but she was busy. Her daughter told me that surface piercings were $70 and up depending on size and location. Okay, fine with me. It'll be worth it.
At A Glance Author Draven When N/A Artist Kathy W. Studio KG's Body Piercing and Tattoos Location Delaware, OH I waited until I got paid for the week, and that Saturday I had my dad take me down to the best piercer in Delaware, KG's. I walked in, Kathy asked what she could do for me, and I told her I had a surface idea. She asked what and I said two barbells horizontally across my lower spine. Her instant reaction was "It'll reject." Flat out. We started talking other possibilities and she said she could do one vertically. Okay, we'll do it.
She made me do all the paperwork and shit while she got the jewelry out of the case and set things up in the back. I finished the paperwork and my dad signed it, then we headed back to the piercing room. Kathy had me stand stock straight and still while she carefully marked me. Once it was perfectly measured with calipers and she had the right length she had me climb up on the table. Once my spine was straight and my hands were directly under my chin I asked if it hurt? She said it's more of a creepy crawly under the skin feeling. She had me do the whole breathing thing, deep in, slow out. On my second exhale I felt it go through. It was a really unique feeling. If you've seen the first Matrix movie, where Neo (Keanu Reeves) has the bug in his stomach, if you can imagine, that's my best comparison.
She had a little trouble with the follow through so she grabbed a 14g taper and found the other end of the barbell. It eventually slid through with minimal discomfort and she screwed on the second bead and cleaned me up again. I hopped down off the table and looked at it. A 14g 1/2" curved barbell, internally threaded. Fun stuff. I loved it.
I went out front, paid my $70, gave her a tip of $5 or more, I'm sure, then left with more good advice from a surface piercing owner herself.
On the ride home sitting was interesting. Consisted of me slouching uncomfortably in the seat. Oh well, it was awesome, I was happy, and I would soon turn it into a project, right?
The first three weeks were great. Everyone at school either loved it or hated it, I cleaned it, learned to sleep on it, et cetera. For a while everything went smoothly. Then once I slept on it for an extended period of time, it started to become red around both beads. Over time that red turned to a dark maroon. I knew it was scarring. Did I remove it then? No. It'll heal, don't worry, right? After learning that it was now painful to sleep on or mess with and after my mom accidentally bumped it quite hard, I figured I'd just let it grow out, scar or not. After two more weeks and no improvement, I began to basically ignore it.
My mom eventually found out about it, told me it looked infected, and for the first time in her life, advised me to go see Kathy. I did, about two weeks later. I told her the story, shortened: I snagged it a lot and it was no fun. Instantly: "It's gotta come out." We went back to the piercing room and she delicately removed it for me.
The barbell was handed over, I left, depressed. Once home, I showed my mom and she seemed happy. My sister, who never knew anything about it, looked at my fresh scabbing and looked disgusted. I don't like it either. I've only not had it for somewhere around three days and I miss it terribly. I never like taking piercings out. Ever. I wasted $70. I didn't even get one picture while it was in full glory. ='( I have learned, however, that surface piercings require more attention than I gave. I might try again one day, when that might be, I'm not sure.
I am positive about the experience I got out of it though, Kathy did all she could, really. All that I allowed her to do, anyway. If you're going to get a surface piercing, try it. It's worth the experience and if you take care of it, a whole lot more. I had fun with mine, while it lasted. However you do it, document it, though. You'll want to remember it. Hopefully you don't do it my way and are left with only a scar.