Ok, so I've been considering getting my tongue pierced. The problem is I work in my dad's office in the mornings and as a cashier at a retail store in the afternoon's and weekends. I was wondering how long it took for the swelling to go down to where I can talk normally. I can take a couple extra days off from the cahsier job, but I don't want to have to take time off from my dad's. He kinda freaked out about my eyebrow piercing, and so the longer he doesn't notice any new mod's, the better. It's just less of a headache if he doesn't notice it. If I had it done on a Friday afternoon, would it be ok by Monday morning?

Also, I'm a little scared of getting it done. Just the way they do it kinda freaks me out. But...well, I think my boyfriend would, ahem, appreciate it. And I've always thought it was kinda hot. But man, they grab your tongue with that clamp-Ughhh. Do you have to watch, or can I close my eyes? I've read some of the posts on here, and that helped ease my fears a bit. And people get it done all the time, so it can't be that bad, right? It wouldn't be for awhile though. I got my tattoo within two weeks of getting my eyebrow done, and my body was not thrilled with me. I've also been run down in general, so I'll be giving this more thought and my body more time to heal itself. But I wanted some info, so I figured I'd ask. TIA!

I highly doubt you will be fine by monday and talk normally. My tongue was swollen a week and I talked with a lisp for 2 weeks.

As far as pain its different for everyone.Mine didnt hurt but others say its the worst pain ever. No you donthave to watch unless you are directly in front of the mirro or you keep your eyes open. Also not every piercer uses clamps mine didnt.

If you have to hide the piercing from your dad Id say its not worth him getting pissed off if and when he sees it. Especially if you are still living under his roof. If you arent living under his roof then its a bit different unless of course at his office he prefers no piercings.

I agree with MsJenn about being fine by Monday. However, my tongue was only swollen for about 4 days and I only had a minor lisp during that time and could get rid of it if I really tried (hurt like hell but I could do it). But for me by the end of the first week I was eating and talking completely normal.
However, if you think your dad is really going to freak out about it and you work for him. Perhaps you should think long and hard about it and what the consequences could be. Will he fire you? Do you need that income? Do you live at home like MsJenn said? Will he kick you out?
I personally LOVE my tongue and yes my boyfriend does too So if you think all these other factors in your life won't be impacted in a really negative way then I'd say go for it!
My piercer used the clamp on my tongue but I was honestly so nervous I didn't notice it was there and all I felt was a small pinch when the needle went in and nothing more. I would do it again in a heartbeat cause I don't consider a pinch much pain, gotten more pain from one of my brothers growing up lol.
Besides, if its something you really think you want, the small pinch of pain won't even matter once you do it and realize just how great the new mod is.
Best of luck in your decision!!!

Hmm, mine wouldn't be fine *at all* in that time scale, but I tend to come off worse from tongue piercings than most people.

As for pain, tongue is pretty minor IMO. Quick little pinch of sharpness, and it's over. And no, you don't have to watch Heh, I understand that kind of nervousness, my tongue was my first piercing and I never was that frightened in my entire life...... but whetever happens, it fades and you live to tell your story, so 'tis all good

No, he wouldn't fire me, hell, he's given me a raise since I got my eyebrow done. No,I'm not living with my parents anymore. I would never even dream of getting anything like that done if I was. I just don't like pissing him off because, well, he's my dad. He may be pissed off, but he'll get over it. He got mad about my eyebrow piercing when he first saw it, but he never mentioned it after that. I know he won't fire me because I need the income and as mad as he may get about it, he wouldn't do that to me. Besides, if it came down to that, I could take it out. But I really don't think that it will. I honestly don't know what I'd have to do to push him to that point, where he would turn his back on me. Because I'm still his "little girl". And will be even if I live to a hundred.
But I'm not planning on doing this anytime soon. My friend wants to get it done, too, but she's even more scared than I am, so we'll wait until she's ready (or at least to the point where she can close her eyes and not think about it!) But I will pass on all the information I'm getting from you guys to her.And I really appreciate your thougts, opinions and input-it really helps.
Thanks!

Well if you find that you really are wanting this done but are simply holding back from fear you should just go for it. This piercing does not hurt in the least. My navel hurt 10 times worse than the tongue. Its like when you get a shot from the doctor, just a little pinch and nothing after it. Just trying to ease some of that fear cause its an AWESOME piercing to have Best of luck!!

GQLFIN, that actually helped a lot! I think, no I know I will get it done. My boyfriend is kinda iffy about it (I would get it done with or without his approval-he's been with me for seven years, and if he gets pissy, he gets pissy!), but we talked a little about it last night, and he seems more comfortable with the idea.I really do want this! My bf asked me why I wanted to get my tongue pierced, and I explained to him why. As I listened to myself, I realized how much I wanted it. And while I was doing research on past posts about it, Neon Under Loneliness said something to the extent of getting a piercing because it feels like it should be there and it's not. Like, something's missing, ya know? So, I'm gonna see when my friend (she wants one, too-but is scared) and I can go and do it, and get it done!

Good for you! You'll be so pleased with yourself

I found some sites that talk about the damge and risks that can result. Are they really that common, or are we talking like one in three hundred here? And is it due to the aftercare (or lack thereof) that caused some people to have such horrible experiences? And what about when they talk about losing the top ball and then it becoming lodged in your airways? Or the bar itself? Tons of people get this done, and obviously they aren't choking on their jewelry, right?

A lot of the dangers people talk about with any piercing can be avoided just by properly taking care of it. I'm just waiting until i get better dental insurance to do my tongue, just in case. As far as the balls coming off, don't buy cheap jewelery and occasionally check to make sure the balls are screwed in tightly.

I once read that stringy/sticky food like pizza cheese can get caught on the bar and cause you to almost swallow your tongue! Does this happen only if you have the wrong size jewelery?