no, I had to take them out for the surgery yesterday. If I had taken them out at the hospital and had them with me he would have put them back in...since I left them at home he said I could do it myself.

I was looking this morning though...when they moved my nipples up the holes are kind a crooked now, so I dont think I'll be putting them back

Oh that sucks so does that mean you will have to re pierce then after all?

not sure yet, when Im able to take a shower tomorrow and get them all clean I will check to see if the holes are actually crooked or not. I only saw them when I was having my bandages changed and I wasnt really coherent hehehe the morphine and demarol could have been screwing with my vision just a tad :lol:

Wow good luck! Hopefully you will be back among us pierced girls soon like you want to be!!! I know you went through a lot just now with your surgery and you have my sympathies... I know you will feel a lot better not having your bra straps digging into your shoulders!!! I havent had that problem myself, but I have a few friends that did... I know what they went through. Good for you! Take care! :D

Cool Shani!

Alright guys, ALL of this info, plus a lot more, can be found online at www.safepiercing.org, which is the website of the Association of Professional Piercers. But, some higlights (based on what we've been talkign about here) from their "Suggested Aftercare Guide for Body Piercings":

Use either one or both of the following solutions for cleaning body piercings:

• Packaged sterile saline solution with NO additives (read the label); or non-iodized sea salt mixture (1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon of iodine-free sea salt into 1 cup of warm distilled or bottled water). A stronger salt solution is NOT better! Strong saline can irritate the piercing

• Liquid anti-microbal or germicidal soap

Instrictions for cleaning and normal reactions to piercing can be found on the website. There are also sections on what to do and what not to do with your piercing while it's healing.

"Unless there is a problem with the size, style, or material of the initial jewelry, leave it in place for the ENTIRE healing period. A qualified piercer should perform any necessary jewelry change that occurs during healing."

And the care suggestion for nipples in particular: "The support of a tight cotton shirt or sports bra may provide portection and feel comfortable, especially for sleeping."

Again, check the website www.safepiercing.org for all the info that's in the brocure. Also, I highly suggest making sure the piercer who does your next piercing is certified by the APP, and has done whatever piercing you're having done at least 100 times before they lay hands on you. If you're in or around the Asheville, NC, area, I can DEFINITELY recommend my piercer in a PM because she is the MOST AWESOME piercer ever. She's got the bedside manner of a really good doctor, is really reallly nice, and is extremely professional (she always shows people the autoclave marks from the packages that the needles and jewelry were sterilized in).

The More You Know!

Thanks Sage! I just cruised the site, I think I learned a little... I will be talking to the lady at the tattoo parlor a little more in depth I think... hmmmm but thanks for the information! Have a great weekend! :D

Have your friend go back to the piercer- better yet, find a piercer that's Association of Professional Piercers certified and send your friend to them.

I don't know the answer- better to ask a professional!

Also, remember that there's different jewelry- perhaps some other jewelry could suit your friend.


And as a PS-

My nipples are doing OK after three months. Still have some crusties, but my piercer said that's normal. I think I ripped the right side of my left nipple a little bit because it was inflamed and irritated for a while and I couldn't figure out why, but then when I really looked at it I noticed that the hole on that side seemed a little bigger than it was supposed to be. I have been doing saltwater soaks for a week now and it's MUCH better! I think it's amazing how saltwater makes things so much better!

I don't know if this helped anyone else, but my piercer instructed me to use Tegaderm bandages until they are healed. He told me to just leave them on until they start peeling off and then put some more on, and to put a piece of gauze in there if I knew I was going to be very active to catch sweat. Also, the shop I go to encourages everyone to keep piercings dry and only clean them if they get bumped around or dirty. I haven't had the displeasure of any catches or anything like that yet, and I am very glad for it. All of their technique and aftercare info is on their website, which I can give in a PM if requested.

only clean them if they get dirty? Geez

I've never heard a piercer that didnt recommend cleaning and turning at least once a day

how does one determine if its "dirty"?

Well, or if it gets wet...basically if its a ear piercing and hair products get on/in it...stuff like that. They say that turning hasn't proven to be good or bad, so they say it isn't necessary and they say the body's the best healer/cleaner and to just leave it alone. I don't know how much crock it is or not but I haven't had any trouble yet.

Oops--I didn't notice that this thread was in the Ladies Lounge. A TFP lady was kind enough to let me know.

My apologies.