get my tongue pierced.

Hey guys!

When last I wrote, I was eagerly awaiting getting to put in the normal-length barbell. So eager was I that my goofy ass went and pounced on it the moment 12:00am flipped onto the clock signifying the arrival of the Friday 2 weeks after my piercing. ^{_^ It was good enough for me.}

It was an interesting experience trying to get the barbell put in LoL It wasn’t hard for me to find the hole because 1: As I took the longbar out, I watched the area of the underside of my tongue so that I could see the hole once it was all the way out and 2: There was quite an obvious puckered area surrounding the hole. Hell. All I needed were some flashing neon lights screaming “SCREW IT IN HERE!!!!” with a bunch of flashing arrows pointing to it. :-)

It wasn’t really hard putting it in. I was actually a little apprehensive about my ability to do it by myself. It went in easily enough, though, although it took a few seconds for it to find the exit hole because the angle I was holding it at missed the exit completely for a moment.

The REALLY interesting part for me once I had the barbell in place was screwing the ball on. Dropped the damn thing twice I did and there was one heart-stopping moment where I thought I’d lost it down the drain of the sink. It took a few tries, but I finally got it on.

And I swear, the difference not only in the length but the WEIGHT of the long and normal bars was…....amazing. It was a relief, really. I was slightly startled at the tighter sensation of the balls of the tongue ring hugging my tongue so snugly, but it was something I quickly got used to.

I’ve found that it’s a LOT easier to speak and eat with the normal tongue ring in and I’ve already gotten to the point that 98% of the time I barely even know that it’s in my mouth. ^_

Oh, and by the way: During that brief space of time where my tongue was completely bereft of tongue ring while I switched them out, it was the WEIRDEST thing not having anything in there. It actually made me talk funny a little bit! LoL! How ironic, yes?

I just got my tongue pierced a little over a week ago. The actual part of getting it pierced? Yeah, I was nervous. Hey, I just said that I’m the biggest wuss in the world. But it seriously wasn’t that bad.

You want to know why people usually dread the thought of getting their tongue pierced over most everything else that they can get pierced? It’s because they instantly think of all the times that they chomped down on their tongue and it hurt like a motherfucker.

Fact 1: The needle that goes through your tongue isn’t NEARLY as broad or dull as your teeth are. Fact 2: Your tongue doesn’t have a whole lot of nerves on it to catch the hurt as the piercing is being done.

My personal experience when I got this done?
Went back to the room, sat on a table, and he had me swish some Listerine (the gold, tasteless kind). Not only does that kill germs in your mouth before he does this, but it also helps numb up your tongue a bit.

Pulled my tongue out, said that he was going to make a mark and then stuck it through.
Did he actually make a mark? Well, technically, the little bleeding hole IS a mark. But generally the piercer will just say whatever beforehand and then do the deed without warning so that you don’t have a chance to tense up, which would make it hurt worse, yes? Since your tongue is practically nothing but muscle. ^_

Anywho….

Did it hurt?
Again: I am the biggest wuss in the world. The very bottom of my tongue and the very top of my tongue felt a slight pinch from the puncture, but that was it. As the needle slides through your tongue, it’s not going to feel any different then when you slide an earring post through your ear that’s been pierced for quite a while. It’s just a smooth sliding sensation.

Now, the piercing part? That’s cake. The REAL fun part is going to be 1: Getting used to talking. 2: Getting used to eating. And 3: Coping with the ache that accompanies the swelling.

But don’t worry, it’ll be easier to get used to than you think.

Generally they advise you to go get a Slushee or Icee right after. I, however, advise not too. The little ice chunks are absolute MURDER on the fresh wound.

However, I do advise to go get yourself some smooth soft-serve ice cream or a shake, but DON’T try to suck a milk shake through a straw just yet. Get yourself a spoon.

Don’t consume a whole lot of dairy just yet, but for your first thing to have after you get your tongue pierced, you’re going to want something VERY COLD and VERY SMOOTH. Save the Icees and what not for a little later.

I was also told to take about 600mg of Ibuprofen every few hours to help battle the swelling. DEFINITELY do this. I actually helps the ache a LOT. Just be warned that the first time you try swallowing a pill with your tongue ring in is going to be a little interesting. Just know this. It’s totally do-able. But it’s going to be a little hard to distinguish pill from the ball for a little bit.

Here’s a biggie: EATING SOLIDS.
Personally? I didn’t eat anything solid until the next day. ...... Wait, scratch that…... I had a baked potato from Wendy’s that night. But you better believe that I took it VERY slowly. And I had that baked potato positively SWIMMING in butter and sour cream. But, what can I say? At that point I was desperate for something substantial.

You’re going to want to take eaiting solids VERY slowly for a few days. I can already guarantee that you’re going to chomp on your piercing a few times. But if you take it slowly and be careful until you get more used to distinguishing the difference between your tongue ring and your food, you will reduce the frequency of that ocurrence.
But, even when you’re being your most careful, there will be times where your tongue ring will just flat-out get in the way even when you have no problems in telling the difference between it and your food.

Talking that first night? More than likely, you are going to sound completely RETARDED. Especially if/when your tongue swells up. It’s probably going to hurt saying sounds like “th” and others.

That first night, when my tongue swelled up to the point where it took up the entire length of the longbar (they give you a long barbell to accomodate the swelling. You’ll be good to go for a normal length about 2 weeks after your piercing is done) I got to sounding so weird, I literally sounded like that deaf chick that was on TV for the longest time. Wasn’t her name like Marlie or something?

I shit you not, I sounded THAT weird.

Most importantly, children: RINSE YOUR MOUTH. Rinse your mouth with a mouthwash that doesn’t have the alcohol in it, like the Crest stuff. DON’T use Listerine.

Also, when you eat, keep a bottle of water handy so that you can chug in a mouthful and swish it around to clear away any food that’s collected between your tongue and the ball or other places in your mouth that your tongue just can’t get to anymore without hindrance from the barbell.

Trust me: Water will become one of your best friends.

Well. I suppose that’s all I have to offer concerning the broad experience of getting my tongue pierced. I hope that this was of some help.

This Friday (November 3, 2006) will be the 2nd week since I got this done and I’ll then be able to put in the normal barbell! Woo Hoo!