Too OLD to Pierce?

[kathryn]

I don't think it's a matter of age, but a matter of how it looks. If you've got the abs for it, and want one, then go for it. But consider it permanent, and make sure you can live with that decision.

 

[NRG Woman]

I had one, and things didn't go well with it so I had to take it out. Eventually I had two surgeries that cut open that area so I have a huge hypertrophic scar there and will never be able to have a belly ring. It makes me sort of wistful since I always really wanted one. Now I have 14 scars on my abdomen ranging from 1" to 10" and I have come to think of them as my body art. I always say that no one has an abdomen like me.

I also want to tell everyone not to put of their happiness until they look just the right way. Who cares if your abs are perfect before you get a belly ring? Do it if it makes you happy. And do it while you still can, since life can change in an instant and you may be in a position (like me) where you will never be able to get one. It would be sad to think that you put off something that would bring you joy and ultimately lose the opportunity.

Shayne

 

[teddy16410]

I also want to tell everyone not to put of their happiness until they look just the right way. Who cares if your abs are perfect before you get a belly ring? Do it if it makes you happy. And do it while you still can, since life can change in an instant and you may be in a position (like me) where you will never be able to get one. It would be sad to think that you put off something that would bring you joy and ultimately lose the opportunity.

Shayne

Well said...If someone thinks a person with belly art is too fat...Look away- Theres only 1 person who has to be hapy with it- just IMO of course.
Perfect abs or perfect anything is in the eyes of the beholder - all the rest of us can turn away if we dont want to look...

 

[mabdoo]

If you want it get it. I had mine done 8 years ago when I was in my late 20's but took it out about 6 years ago. I still have the scar and it looks pretty bad. Pregnancy made it funky. I thought it hurt really, really bad. When I had it done really, really low rise jeans weren't in style so when I sat down it would rub on my jeans. I ended up wearing my jeans unbuttoned and half unzipped for 2 weeks until it stopped hurting. You have to do what you want. If you don't you may always regret it and that is worse than living with the temporary pain of a needle!

 

[ColoradoSooner]

I got mine pierced not long before my 40th birthday and honestly, I loved it but it just didn't work out for me. Here's a few pointers:

1. Do lots of research on your piercer. I didn't and I think things might have been different if I had. He put a bar in that was too long and it moved around a lot. Later I went to another (more reputable) piercer to have her look at it and she said, "Well no wonder you're having trouble, honey...that's a big girl's bar!"

2. Do more research online about piercings in general and be aware of what could go wrong (i.e. migration). This is really important and again, if I had done more research I might've avoided some problems. For instance, go with a bar first (rings tend to get hooked on things) and spring for titanium since very few people have a reaction to it. Plus, when you think about it, it IS an open wound and important to take care of correctly.

3. Be aware that it could take 6 months - a year for it to completely heal. It's in a weird place and even just bending over can irritate it. Not to mention your pants rubbing on it.

4. Be prepared that you probably won't be able to work out for a week or more because of irritation. And NO swimming for a few months. That could lead to a big nasty infection.

I'm not telling you these things to discourage you. More just to prepare you. I really did love mine but pretty much did everything wrong. The more you know going into it, and the more research you do on your piercer, the better off you're going to be.

And NO...you're not too old. If you still want it after you do all your research, go for it! Life's too short to not do what makes us happy.

 

[vikinyc]

I agree with most of the posters. Do what makes you happy. I'm almost 59 years old and I just discovered the band SOCIAL DISTORTION - makes me happy.

Viki-NYC

 

[SirenSongWoman]

Freakin' everyone who competes in the fitness industry has a naval ring and if you have a flat belly, go for it, God bless you. I always said I'd do it if I ever had one and, though I'm getting there, at 47 I should probably just let it go.

BTW, back in my punk days I had a nose piercing, three times in the same spot. I'd knock out the ring and be unable to get it back in. Finally, I figured it was too much effort and I just gave up.

 

[DirtDiva]

I swear Janie...you are truly one cool chic! Rock on!

You are not ridiculous!. I'm 57 and tried very hard to keep mine going for 6 years or more. It just navigated out. I tried 3 times and all those times it didn't take. Had to finally quit and give up on the idea. I felt too old too at first, but it's your body, you should dam well do what you want with it. You only have it once in a life time.

Enjoy your piercing, and your life, if it doesn't work out, then it doesn't work out. No biggy. If it is a mid crises, (as it was for me) then isn't better than getting a fancy car or...whatever.

If I saw a women with a piercing at any age, I would envy them and wish I could have one too, but at least I tried.

Be yourself, not your age according to society. Wished your husband would support you though, but he doesn't own you. Unless it is a huge big deal with him, then I would do it.

Janie

 

[Jennifit]

Am I ridiculous? I'm a 41-year old married mother of two. I think belly button piercings are kinda sexy...and have thought of getting one. My husband's reaction is pretty much the same one he gave me when I told him I had a Facebook page: "That's just totally juvenile!" There's a part of me that thinks he's right...especially if he doesn't want me to get one (like, who am I trying to impress!?!). He, on the other hand, has steadfastly defended his three tattoos ever since we got married (though, on his behalf, he had them done when he was younger). I think my two boys can handle it. They like jewelry!

So what's the verdict? Am I in massive age denial? Mid-life crisis? Too vain to be believed? What would YOU think if you saw a 41-year old with a pierced navel? I encourage any and all honest opinions on this!

P.S. If anyone out there has gotten one, about how much does this type of thing cost??

I love this post!!! You sound so great! I say DO IT! If it makes you feel sexy - how great! It is not like you are going under the knife...If you do not like it, you can just take it out. Also, even if everyone in the world thinks you are living in denial and you don't think so...you are one up on everyone!!!!
Have fun - 41 is still young

 

[fit44]

Enjoy your piercing, and your life, if it doesn't work out, then it doesn't work out. No biggy. If it is a mid crises, (as it was for me) then isn't better than getting a fancy car or...whatever.

Oh, I got the fancy car too
Hey, I toted kids around for half my life. Taxi cab mom. I'm not complaining. I loved that I was there for my children and all their activities. You learn a lot about their friends just by ease dropping the back seat conversations
Anyway, at the age of 46 I'm the proud owner of a 2 seat convertible sports car. It suits my mid-life just fine so I really don't consider it a crisis.

 

[lcobb2]

I believe you are never too old to do something that brings you joy!

ITA...and I don't even have one--go with your heart and what you want to do. Forget everyone else. Live by your rules!

 

[ldy_solana]

nope not to old at all. my mom is 59 and still has her belly ring. we have friends well into 30s and 40s that still have eyebrow rings, lips rings, earrings, nipple rings, even my old tattoo artist has *ahem* other piercings. i wouldn't go over board like many of my friends but one little ring has become classy,sexy but cute. also the fun part is in the summer you can switch out jewelry to match our outfits

kassia

 

[Meecher]

THANKS FOR ALL THE ADVICE!!!

Thank you SOOO much everyone for all this great advice! I just posted yesterday, and already, I have all this feedback! I love it!

DH still thinks I'm crazy. I think he thinks I want to be Britney Spears or something. Oh well...

I think I'm 75% there. The decision will be made SOON!

THANKS!