montynic

I don't want to hijack the OP's thread, but the hood is the only piercing I have never had done that I really want. Do you mind sharing your experience?

I got a 14g vertical hood piercing (with a curved barbell) 3 years ago, and I still love it! The actual piercing was not painful at all... Granted, I have a really high pain threshold and tend to combine pain with pleasure... Nonetheless, the best way I can describe the feeling of the piercing is that someone was playing with my clit and then got carried away and bit down too hard. Before I could get out the words "oh f*ck" the sensation was gone. I absolutely love the piercing and wish that I would not have waited until I was 22 to get it! :mad:

I also have had mine pierced twice... My ex-husband decided he did not like them anymore and I agreed to take them out (obviously, he was not an "ex" at that point). I re-pierced them shortly after the divorce. I prefer captive D-rings because they provide the benefits of both straight barbells and rings: The straight line of the D prevents the sore edges caused from the diameter of rings being too small or nipples being large, and the curved part of the D provides something for him to play with (flick, pull on, twist, etc). Personally, I hated plain barbells because they were boring... nothing to play with! Piercings are usually done in a 14g, but I have sized mine up to an 8g because they are less likely to rip out if things get kinda rough :^)

I'm hoping to get banded sometime next month, as long as everything continues smoothly... My (very long-term) goals include:

1) Belly button piercing

2) Sexy lingerie from Victoria's Secret and Frederick's of Hollywood

3) Buy clothes from somewhere other than Lane Bryant

4) Bikini

5) Pole dancing and strip tease classes

6) Sex up against the shower wall with my legs wrapped around my husband... which I haven't done since high school! :thumbup:

7) Look great for my 10-year high school reunion

Dr. Machado facilitated the informational session I attended on 1/4/10. I specifically asked her about a program fee because my insurance deductible is $2,000 and there is no way I can come up with that amount plus a program fee... Dr. Machado said there is only a program fee if you have Blue Cross PPO insurance. Luckily for me, I do not have that type of insurance! Hope this information helps anyone else out there who is considering Dr. Machado and worried about a program fee.

I will be 26 in April and will likely be banded in February... fingers crossed that that insurance approval comes through!

#1. Surgery date? Paperwork submitted to insurance on January 5th. I was told it should be approved relatively quickly and surgery date will likely be in February.

#2. State you live in? California

#3. Doctor/Surgery Center? Dr. Laura Machado/Mercy Hospital

#4. Insurance or self pay? 100% Insurance (after $2,000 deductible)

#5. Age and height? 25/5'5"

#6. Current weight and goal weight? 325/140

#7. What was your deciding factor for having this surgery? Finally have insurance that will approve it! I have been overweight and a yo-yo dieter my whole life. PCOS makes losing weight even more difficult...

#7. Do you have the support of family and friends? I have support from the ones that matter...

#8. Concerns and questions? N/A. I have done a tremendous amount of research and have several close friends, family, and coworkers who have undergone the procedure. I am just very anxious and excited about starting this journey!

I also am just starting the process of getting banded. I am 5'5" and weigh 325, which puts my BMI at 54.1. I attended Dr. Machado's informational session 1/4/10 and am waiting for a return call from her office to schedule my consultation.

I have my orientation with Dr. Machado on Monday, Jan. 4, 2010. So far, my interactions with her staff have been very positive. I already know my insurance covers the procedure and does not require a medically-supervised diet or any other waiting period, so I am hoping to progress quickly through this process. *Fingers crossed*