I just got back from getting my nipples rung, as my friend Teresa would say. My appointment was an hour ago, so I'm still pretty high on the whole experience. I'll start from the beginning, if you don't mind :)

The big decision

During the second week of May, 1999, I decided that I finally want to get my nips done. I had made an appointment to do it in September, but I changed my mind at the last minute. It was mostly because I was super tired and really sick, but it was partly because I wasn't sure if I wanted 14 gauge or something bigger.

Anyway, on Saturday, May 15^th I went in to talk to Rik from Razzamatattzz Tattoos and Body Piercing in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. I inquired about getting them done in 10 gauge instead of the standard 14. I have put a lot of thought into the large gauge/small gauge debate that constantly rages between Todd Bertrang and other piercers on the BME BBS. I've decided that I'm anti-14 gauge, but not quite into huge gauges, so I figure that 10 gauge is a decent compromise. Rik didn't really want to do it, so we discussed back and forth a bit. Rik's argument was that the bigger gauge would be too heavy and increase the chance of migration. I was thinking that the added surface area would compensate for that, but of course I didn't think of that til after I left (I told him I was gonna think about it for the weekend).

I asked the folk on Mind into Body BBS, and I was right; Dave and Todd agreed with me. So, on Monday I went back to Rik and said that I wanted them done. He said okay :) I liked that...he listened to my concerns, gave his opinion, but ultimately when it seemed that I know what I'm talking about, he is gonna do what I want.

He didn't have any 10 gauge needles or rings in stock, so it was going to be another week before I could get them done. To get 14 gauge nipples it would cost $85; the 10 gauge was $95 (Canadian of course). Good deal I think...saves money stretching. Rik seemed to be concerned that it was gonna cost me way more, which is cool. Obviously he's in it for the money (hey, it's a business!), but not at the expense of others.

The preparation

Well, six weeks later, the jewelry was in, Rik was back from holidays, and I'd finally kicked my cold. I made the appointment for 4:30 on Wednesday, July 7, 1999. I got there ten minutes early, so I sat and eavesdropped on someone's conversation until Rik was ready. I was nervous, but not terrified or anything.

Rik brought the rings out so I could see them before he set everything up. They were WAY smaller in diameter than I'd remembered from when he'd shown me the same diameter six weeks before. This, believe me, was excellent! As the days passed, the rings got bigger and scarier in my memory. I was so worried I was gonna end up with these monster rings hanging off of my boobs! But, it was all fine :)

Rik and I went to the back room where he spent a while explaining all of the details to me. I've heard the speech before and I've seen all of the tools, but it was helpful anyway. It was nice to just sit, relax, chat, and become comfortable with each other. Definitely very calming.

You mean, take off my shirt?

Time to get NEKKID! Okay, well this was the part that scared me the most. Needles, blah, nudity, ack! It was going to be the most action I'd seen since Christmas! Yes, I'm that pathetic, but moving on.... Rik left the room for me, which was a nice touch. He also gave me a blanket so I could be un-naked as much as possible.

The whole time he was cleaning the area, lining up the dots, applying the clamps and doing the needle thing, I didn't look. I'm not scared of needles, but it made it easier to forget that he's staring at my breast. Naked. I'm super shy with regards to my personal lack of clothing, but I'm getting better! After I took a deep breath and the needle went through, he pushed through a taper pin and then the jewelry was slid in.

That's gotta hurt!

The first one pinched. Hard. It wasn't unbearable, but if I said it didn't hurt I'd be lying. The clamp didn't hurt at all, the needle wasn't a big deal, but the taper was painful. The second one was sharper, but not necessarily more painful. Overall, it wasn't too bad actually. I'm such a stud! I don't think that I'd really want to do it again, I mean I don't generally actively seek out pain! But, it wasn't a horrendous ordeal. Honest.

So, what happens now?

Hmm, what else can I say? The right one was done first. At the moment it feels like it's sore from being pinched. The left one is a bit more noticeable, but I think that's because the ring is sticking up. See, the right one is laying nicely against my skin. The left one is at a 45 degree angle, so it gets smooshed by my bra.

How to hide from the stupids

The stupids, you know…parents, co-workers, those who just don't get it. There was never any blood, but afterward Rik gave me some gauze to put in my bra just in case. That helped smooth out the lines of the rings, so to hide them all ya have to do is put a piece of Kleenex or something in there.

The t-shirt I wore to the shop is probably the thinnest material shirt I have, and I really couldn't tell that they had been pierced. So, my biggest fear was nothing to worry about! I abhor the way erect nipples look through shirts, and I didn't want to always have mine like that, not to mention the balls on the rings. That is one of the reasons it took me so long to get them done.

And, my bathing suit is one that has built in cups, so you can't actually see the rings thru them. I wasn't swimming, just getting a little sun in the backyard. I don't plan on swimming for a while…too many germies.

Later

7:10pm

Everything feels about the same, but a little less sore.

11:08pm

Bedtime, feeling fine. Don't notice them until my jammies rub. Just about to throw on a bra for bed (I wouldn't normally do that, but I figure it will be better than having the rings catch on things).

July 8 (the next day)

9:30 pm

I don't even feel them unless they're brushed by something. Seatbelts suck ass…them simply pressing on my nipples hurts. I tried to go braless once I got home from school, but it hurt. They flopped around too much. Right now, my bra is my friend.

I keep saying hurt. It's not that bad. Like I said, as long as they're not touching anything, it's not noticeable.

July 9

6:30 pm

I noticed some teeny crusties on my right nipple this afternoon. They still feel okay.... FINALLY figured out how to sleep last night! I usually sleep on my tummy, so for the past few weeks I've been trying to sleep on my back...I'd always wake up on my tummy anyway. Wednesday night I slept poorly on my right side...my rook gets irritated when I do that. So, last night I was on my left side and slept like a baby :)

I love my new rings :) I keep running to the bathroom to take another look in the mirror! They're so pretty.

July 19

The left one hurts a bit, the right one doesn't. It's just a bit more tender than the other one, plus the ring is standing out more. Took my usual shower every 12 hours, plus soaked in Lavender and Red Clover.

July 20

Feels better. Going braless is fine, was after about 5 days. I don't wear one to bed anymore. Not really crusty anymore, just a bit dry. They were really itchy the other day. They're a healin' :)

July 26

They're okay. The major itching has stopped (went on for the past week). It was driving me batty! They're basically not oozing with crusties anymore, just a few. They're well on their way to healing...I don't think I'll have too many problems with them (knock on wood I guess). They are not necessarily more sensitive, it's just that they stick out and rub against everything! It gets distracting when you're trying to listen to a description of Sumerian civilization in History class. They get sore fast tho...not much stimulation allowed.

August 7 (hey, it's been a month!)

Wearing a bra is uncomfortable now, has been for a week or so. After a few hours it can get quite painful. The rings dig into my skin and my nipples get smooshed down. Two days ago the left one seemed a bit infected (the right one is not crusty, just a bit of dry skin…I wouldn't say it's healed, but it's certainly not an open wound anymore). I think it's because it gets knocked around more than the right one. I soaked it in Lavender and Red Clover tea, which helped a ton!

January 16, 2000 (six months!)

Wow, have I really had them for six whole months? So, how do I feel about them. Well, I still wouldn't say they're completely and totally healed. Lately I've managed to stay out of a bra for most of the time, and this is helping tons. The past four months I had to wear one everyday while working full-time. Now that I'm back in school, I wear one only with certain shirts, maybe once or twice a week and usually for just a few hours at the bar or in class. I lube them up every day with vitamin e oil, and this seems to help. Otherwise they get dry and itchy, and then they'll ooze stuff. I've also changed to barbells recently, which helps with the bra wearing. My nips may still start to ooze stuff if I wear one too much, but at least when I'm wearing one it doesn't hurt.

As for playing with them, since I've always got little nipple hard-ons, it's faster to become aroused. Before, I'd have to get them up, then they'd feel good. Now, since they're already up it's no work at all. I don't know if they're more sensitive, just sensitive all of the time. I also have more "stamina" with stimulation...they don't get sore after a few minutes like they did when they were first pierced.

So, would I recommend this pierce to others? Well, it depends. It's the most work I've ever had to do with a piercing. It's not difficult, but you have to be diligent in cleaning and not messing around with them. I'm certainly glad I got them, and I have no intention of killing them any time soon. Basically, if you think you might like them, go for it! Just remember it does carry more responsibility than, say, simple ear, tongue, and nose piercings.

July 2000...one year!!!

I stopped the Vitamine E oil a while ago, but it was certainly a help when I was using it. I just don't need it anymore. they are still great, and they've healed up absolutely fine. I'd still recommend them if that's what you really want. if you have to wear a bra all of the time though, you might decide it's not worth it...I'm only truly comfy bra-less.