Spacer in belly button

[destiny1984mami]

I wanna get a spacer in my belly button-saw a girl in a tattoo magazine with it-and I think its very sexy and unique.  But I have a outie, is it still possible to get one?

[TattooedMama669]

Sorry I didn't answer earlier, I've been moving and didn't have computer access for almost 2 weeks.  I wouldn't recommend piercing an outie navel.  Your navel is the remainder of your umbilical cord, and has an extensive network of blood vessels.  Normal navel piercings are located in the tissue directly above the actual navel, so you do not actually pierce through this network of vessels.  Piercing directly through it poses two problems.  One, you will likely bleed quite a bit during the piercing process, and two, these blood vessels lead directly to internal organs, and if you happen to develop an infection during healing, you have a direct line for that infection to travel to critical areas of your body.

The second problem with outie navel piercings is that the plug is scar tissue, which is quite weak compared to normal skin tissue, and cannot safely support a proper piercing.  This will significantly increase your risk of tearing or rejection.  Even if you do manage to heal this piercing, it is highly likely that it will migrate away from its original position and look crooked.

To answer your direct question, yes it is absolutely possible.  Is it likely to succeed?  Not so much.

[destiny1984mami]

:-( Thanks for the scoop. I hate my outie-it always sticks out thru my clothing and people poke it! Lol. I was really wanting a piercing there! But thanks for letting me know.do u know anyone that pierced there outie and it came out ok?

[destiny1984mami]

Oh and what about a regular piercing vs a spacer in my belly button?

[momma_gig]

what is the difference between a spacer navel piercing and a regular navel piercing? i've never heard of this... or at least i don't think i have lol. do you have a picture? google isn't helping :P

[destiny1984mami]

I don't know if I can describe it right, but a spacer is a piercing , like people put in their ear lobes and when they take it out, there's a big hole, as opposed to just a regular piercing that is a stud and only leaves a small hole! I'll try and find a pic and post it. The pic I saw was really unique!

[TattooedMama669]

No, I have heard of successful outie piercings, but I have never actually met anyone with it. 

I would NOT recommend going with a large gauge for this piercing.  When you said spacer, I just assumed you meant a regular piercing with a regular bar.  To achieve what you are describing, you would have to either pierce at a very large gauge and then stretch, or stretch from a standard size.  Either way, the stretching process would further weaken the already fragile tissue, and make tearing an even bigger risk.  And if it does rip, you could end up with serious bleeding and a gaping wound in an area that does not heal well.

A standard 14g piercing, or even a 12g or 10g, would be as far as I would go if you decide it's worth the risk to get it pierced.  Not trying to rain on your parade, but I want to give it to you straight.

[destiny1984mami]

Thank you again for your expert opinion. Yeah I wanted to get a gauge where it would really have to be stretched and would leave a hole if I took it out-which I would never take out if I got it.