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AIBU?

To get my belly button pierced at nearly 40?

53 replies

Alphabetsy · 23/02/2013 21:36

After a lot of hard work finally got my flat tummy back 3 years after youngest dc. Now heading towards by 40th b'day and want to do something different. Always been quite conservative - no tatoos or crazy hair styles. DH turned his nose right up at the suggestion saying 'you're 40 not 20'!! Should I do it anyway? Like to wear bikinis on hol and in pool etc.
Ps is it painful and prone to infection if done properly and how long to heal?

OP posts:
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mummywizz · 23/02/2013 21:38

Please don't, I think it looks horrible if you're 20 too.

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howdoo · 23/02/2013 21:39

I think you should do it! You can always take it out again.

Personally I would never do it, as my belly button went farking weird after my pregnancies and I can never wear a bikini again because of it...

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mermaidbutmytailfelloff · 23/02/2013 21:40

I did. I now have several holes in my ears too and two tattoos....and I had none before I was 40

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MrsPennyapple · 23/02/2013 21:44

Yes, it is painful to have pierced, as it goes through quite a lot of flesh compared to other piercings. Mine did also take a long time to heal. IIRC it's ten weeks until you can change the jewellery, but mine was not totally healed by then. It's not prone to infection, it's easy enough to keep clean, but it's also very easy to catch on clothes / bedding, or in the shower. I only kept mine about a year, as I just found it too annoying catching on things all the time.

Whilst I would say it's up to you, if you like how it looks and you want it doing, who's to say you shouldn't? I'd also have to say honestly, with the benefit of hindsight I wouldn't get it done.

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WishIdbeenatigermum · 23/02/2013 21:45

Go for it! I surprised DD14, by saying go for it. It's the perfect piercing as you never have to show it, unlike a tattoo you can 'disappear' it if you wish.
And congrats on having the tummy for it. Grin

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apostropheuse · 23/02/2013 21:46

YANBU to do it if YOU want it. It's your body and you can do what you like with it.

I think they're horrible though - especially on middle-aged women.

Sorry!

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changeforthebetter · 23/02/2013 21:53

Aww,do it! I had my belly button pierced when I was 30 and it looked great. I took it out when pg with DD1. It healed up (and I can't imagine crop tops now but yay to you with a flat stomach!) I think they look great. Your H might just be pigeonholing you too quickly into "safe mum" mode?

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TraineeBabyCatcher · 23/02/2013 21:56

Personally I don't like any belly button piercings but age shouldn't stop you doing it if you fancy it.
I've just decided to get my ears pierced now I just have to pluck up the courage to go get them done.

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changeforthebetter · 23/02/2013 21:56

It didn't hurt btw. Look, I would rather chew my arm off than have a a tattoo but each to their own. I don't look down on people with tattoos. Besides, a belly button piercing is not exactly public for the majority of the year n the UK Grin

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livinginwonderland · 23/02/2013 21:58

do it! i got mine done two years ago. it was painful for about two seconds while it was done and it was tender for a couple of days, but after that, it's fine if you get it done properly, at a proper studio.

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HeathRobinson · 23/02/2013 21:59

Why not? Smile
I've just had my ears repierced and I'm a good deal older than you.

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MrsPoglesWood · 23/02/2013 21:59

I had mine done when I was mid 30s and I still love it now I'm mid 40s. It really didn't hurt at all and I'm the world's biggest wuss! Didn't take too long to heal and didn't get infected. The only odd thing is that it did used to get very sensitive for a day or so when I was on my period but the paperwork they gave me did explain that might happen. Am on Cerazette now and don't have periods anymore so no more senstivity. Go for it! If you don't like it you can always take it out.

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WorraLiberty · 23/02/2013 22:02

I think they can look nice on the right person usually young people

But never on a saggy belly button.

Even the slimmest of people can have droopy/saggy belly buttons like mine and I don't think they suit a piercing.

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PacificDogwood · 23/02/2013 22:03

YANBU at any age to consider this

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bedmonster · 23/02/2013 22:03

Well, you are damn right to be proud of getting your tummy to a stage you are pleased with, many of us know how tough it can be, so a huge well done for that.
However, my personal opinion is that it looks a bit mutton dressed as lamb, sorry!!

But then, they aren't permanent like tattoos so if you do get it done, you will be able to remove it when you see your reflection! Grin sorry, am in a silly mood, please don't take offence.

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Wolfiefan · 23/02/2013 22:04

I'm with Worra. I wouldn't but that's because if I bent over my tummy would swallow a piercing. If you have a lovely flat tum then what's the issue. My sis had hers done and she looks lovely in a bikini.

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FannyBazaar · 23/02/2013 22:08

I was over 40 when I had mine done! It bloody hurt, somehow I was just expecting some initial pain and then no more. I wouldn't do it again Shock. What I wasn't prepared for was missing baths while it healed, which can be slow. Mine took about 4 months to heal, it would settle down then get a bit inflamed if I wore clothes that rode up over it. With the colder weather I found that skirts and tights combinations were tricky to wear at first and lacy/fish net tights can catch on it.

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LHW123 · 23/02/2013 22:10

hi there

my advice would be to not get pierced.

a nice flat stomach is good enough in itself !

I just think that belly button piercings are really dated now - very early 1990's.

(I had mine done 3 times, so i'm not against it per se, I just think it would make you look quite dated and naff now).

Leave your stomach as it is - a flat (unpierced stomach is timeless !

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JeffFaFa · 23/02/2013 22:13

I had mine done as a teen it hurt, it got a little infected but was sorted relatively easily, the hole ripped in pregnancy though and i now have a big scar through my belly button never to be shown again :(

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discobeaver · 23/02/2013 22:14

I think your DH may be feeling a bit insecure about your lovely flat tummy and now you want to put something sparkly in it and other men might see it. And like it.
If you fancy doing it then get it done. It's your tummy!

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Flisspaps · 23/02/2013 22:28

MIL had hers done, I think when she was 40.

Each to their own Wink

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quirrelquarrel · 24/02/2013 14:10

Do it! Grin I think it looks fab, and your age doesn't have anything to do with it.....if you're thin enough that you can see the stud, then do it. It's not just for people who have totally flat tummies.

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ILikeBirds · 24/02/2013 15:36

I had mine done 14 years ago (saying that makes me feel old). In contrast to others, I'd say it's the least painful piercing I've ever had, didn't hurt at all and was only tender if I caught it on clothing in the initial healing period.

Go for it if you want it, you can always take it out again. Just find a decent piercer to do it.

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PessaryPam · 24/02/2013 15:53

I know someone who did this at your age and then their marriage fell apart. I think it is a symptom of something deeper going on.

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fluffyraggies · 24/02/2013 16:02

I had a friend do this when she was 39, and with an average sort of tummy, neither fat nor flat. She had allot or trouble with it. She seemed to spend more time 'dealing' with the darn thing (cant wear this 'cos it's tender again etc) than enjoying it.

Personally i think it's looks a bit ''i'm so young'', a little WAG, and yes, a bit dated now.

I didn't think any the less of my friend for getting it done. She's taken it out now. I think it was a rebellion against the big four 0looming.

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