Why not?
From BMEzine Encyclopedia
Why not?
As a medical researcher, I have come across many examples of unfortunate individuals who have attempted body modification and suffered complications. This may be due to having work done without understanding the basic principles behind it. Or it may be due to infection, contracted from contaminated instruments or poor after-care. Below are outlined a few things to consider if you are planning body alterations. As with all things like this, you should fully understand the implications of any drastic and possibly permanent alterations to your body.
The human body is fairly flexible and can withstand much by way of alteration. However, there are limitations. These vary from body to body. Just because one person can undergo a particular procedure does not necessarily mean you will be as suitable. This page provides some useful safety tips and things to consider before going for modification.
1. Medical history
Do you have any history of medical conditions? An outstanding medical condition may prevent you from being suitable for modification or may limit the extent of modification you can undergo. If you have any of the following conditions or suspect you may have then you should consult a doctor prior to going for modification:
- Haemophilia
- HIV/AIDS
- Hepatitis
-Hyper-/hypo-tension requiring medication
- A history of heart complaints
- Chronic pain
- A history of adverse reactions to analgesics
- Skin disorders
- Are or suspect you may be pregnant or are breast-feeding
- Anaemia
As always, if you are in doubt, consult a doctor. Do not embark on any procedure if you are in doubt as to your own health and safety.
2. What do I want?
There have been numerous occasions where I have encountered patients who have undergone a procedure and later regretted it. They have said something along the lines of, "I thought it looked cool", or, "I wanted to be different". However, it has turned out later that being different or cool is not what they thought and it's too late to change it. If you want to be different then consider the extent to which you are reasonably prepared to go. Many procedures are reversible, to some degree, for example, minor piercings or some tattoos. However, more extensive work may not be so reversible and could potentially be permanently disfiguring, e.g. ear-lobe stretching.
3. Is it safe?
Before undergoing any modification, check to see if it is likely to be detrimental to your health, whether through the procedure itself or afterwards. Below are some examples:
Piercings - does the piercing interfere with vital function? This is especially important when considering piercings of the face, genitals or other extremities (e.g. hands, feet)
- Piercing of the penis may cause difficulty in micturition (peeing) and is likely to be severely detrimental to sexual capacity. Common problems include erectile dysfunction or simply engaging in intercourse without getting it stuck.
- Nipples (female): pierced nipples inhibit the ability to breast-feed and also are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer.
- Orifices (e.g. mouth, nose, ears, anus or vagina): orifices are primarily for the passage of substances which can be inhibited by extensive piercing. Consider the extent to which normal, and often vital, functions may be impaired by piercings around or in various orifices.
Tattoos - whilst there is little risk attached to tattooing, it is worth enquiring if your artist is using sterile equipment. Sterile equipment minimises the risk of infection. As above, do you have any existing conditions which may interfere with any procedure? If so, bear this in mind and consult a doctor prior to any modification.
4. D.I.Y.
One word: DON'T. Even if you know what you are doing, it is better to get someone else to perform on you. There are a number of good reasons for this.
- Your own assessment of your physical state is often flawed. We instinctively over-estimate our capabilities and are likely to push ourselves too far. Another person has a better perspective on our state than we do as they can observe things we will miss in our desire to achieve something.
- Our own perspective can further be clouded by adrenaline (epinephrine). Adrenaline reduces the ability to feel pain to some extent. This can result in doing damage to yourself unwittingly.
-The inverse of this is also true. If you cause yourself excessive pain you risk doing more damage to yourself. Excessive pain can result in unconsciousness which will render you unable to improve your situation.
-In the event that something goes wrong, someone else can call for assistance. If you are on your own and incapacitate yourself or render yourself unconscious you will not be able to call for help.
- There are some parts of your body which you cannot see. Another person will have more control over such things as piercing or other markings without causing extraneous damage.
