Tongue Piercing - not for me (Body Piercing)

Name: funagogo

Hello doyoo user, You have to be logged in to use these functions... Login or register Close window

Send message to member

Product:	Body Piercing
Date:	01.04.07 (975 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: The boys apparently like it, you can't really eat for 2 weeks so lose weight

Disadvantages: Can go septic, be painful

Background:

I am not a brave person generally but have always wanted to have my tongue pierced. At the age of 23 I accompanied my friend to book herself in for a tattoo and decided to take the plunge.

The process:

I went into Blue Banana in Lincoln, who have one of the best reputations in the area. I went through to the back area and signed a form to say I wasn't drunk or on drugs and that if I died my family wouldn't sue (which didn't exactly fill me with confidence.)

Filled with adrenaline I signed the form and picked out a tongue bar. I was told I had to pick out a longer bar as my tongue would swell up over the first 2 weeks then I could have it changed for a shorter one.

I paid £25 for the piercing and bar and went off for a drink whilst the bar was sterilised. After a short 25 minute wait I went back.

The process was suprisingly painless - just quite surreal. I had to stick my tongue out and have it clamped, wiped down with anaesthetic then a large needle hooked through my tongue with the bar threaded through on the way out. The bar is secured with a screw on ball.

Afterwards:
I was told to go and eat some ice and take some paracetemol to reduce the swelling. To stop infection in 'the open wound in my mouth' (their words) I was told to use mouthwash regularly and gargle salt water. After about 2 hours it started and i began chain-eating sun lollies. The pain wasn't pain but it was an odd sensation. The balls at each end of the bar were pressing against the bottom and top of my mouth and kept knocking on my teeth - apparently the piercing is really bad for your teeth.

I woke up the next morning and my mouth was filled with blood. There was congieled blood all around the bar and everytime i washed it off it continued.

That night the taste of blood got so bad i decided to go to the hospital to see if there was anyway to stop the bleeding. The A&E Dr thought i had been involved in some freakish accident as he had never seen a tongue piercing before (which made me doubt his social skills - but medical school must be time consuming.) He told me to hold a bandage around my tongue until the bleeding stopped - not the most practical advice I have ever heard.

So back to the shop I went who took it out - they said that sometimes the swelling can nick the artery in your tongue and that they would book me in for a months time. Needless to say I did not return. The only amazing thing I learnt from this experience is how quickly your tongue heals. Within 10 minutes of the bar being removed it was completely healed up - amazing!!

The bar itself:
I picked a blue, titanium bar as titanium is apparently more sterile you can get stainless steel ones and all different colours. When you change to a smaller bar it costs about £15

Overall:
I have many pals who have their tongues pierced and love it, but I did not enjoy my experience at all. As someone who loves her food I was distraught not to be able to eat for almost three days.

On the plus side my then boyfriend loved the idea of me having my tongue pierced but never got to test it.

I would suggest if you really want to do this make sure you have a good dentist, go to a reputable place and seriously think about it first. If it starts bleeding after the initial piercing please go to the hospital straight away as it can go septic and you can lose lots of blood.

Summary: My tale of woe of my tongue piercing