I received this message from a man who had read my book:
First I would like to thank you personally for writing such a great book on piercing. I have found it to be informative and a great support throughout my different piercings.
About six years ago I had a PA and an ampallang procedure done around the same time, my PA has stayed with me ever sense (currently stretched to a 2) but my ampallang had to be retired after only a few days. The problem I had is that my piercer suggested a long bar as an initial choice for jewelry and I have a lot of foreskin. The pressure was excrutiating. My lover believes it would be a fun piercing but I am not sure how or if this piercing will be possible considering my anatomy. I've also yet to see many images of uncut men with this piercing on the popular websites. Have you encountered this situation and can you shed some light on what us uncut men can do to have a successful chance with this piercing?
Sincerely yours,
E.
My reply:
Hi E.,
Thanks for the positive feedback about my book; I appreciate that.
The jewelry size you wear in an ampallang should be based on your maximum erect measurement at the location of the piercing. The bar does not need to be any longer than that, and, in fact, should not be any longer than that.
Then, you need to evaluate whether the size required by your erect anatomy would prevent your foreskin from resting down in its natural position over the glans. The issue is ultimately one of your size differential between erect and flaccid states. Those with a major change will have a more challenging time with this issue.
IF the foreskin would be kept retracted by the jewelry, then you are unsuited to the piercing. Not only can the foreskin cause pressure against the jewelry, but by keeping it retracted for an extended period of time, you can end up with a condition known as paraphimosis. See attached photo. That is fluid in the tissues. If left untreated (the fluid must be drained with a needle), serious complications including gangrene could develop! This is nothing to play around with!
One other factor to consider would be placing the ampallang further forward than usual so the jewelry will not need to be as wide. Or, you may find an apadravya would work better as the penis does not usually expand as much in this direction, meaning that wearing closer fitting jewelry may be possible.
Let me know if you have other questions.
Thank you!
Sincerely,
Elayne
Elayne Angel, Author
The Piercing Bible--The Definitive Guide to Safe Body Piercing
President, Association of Professional Piercers
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