WARNING: Links and images in this post may be difficult to look at and are not appropriate for young viewers.
OK, this post is not my usual subject matter. I promise it is a momentary diversion.
Last night I decided to watch Extreme Dr. 90210, thinking it would be, well extreme-but-pretty plastic surgery. Like Heidi Montag-10-surgeries-in-a-day extreme, which I can handle. I had nooooo idea what I was getting myself into. Remember, I’ve been Down Under on and off for more than a year, and this is one show that hasn’t made the journey to Oz. Yet. So forgive me if I’m way behind the times.
Anyway, I truly thought I’d seen it all in terms of the lengths people will go to to change their bodies. I am fascinated by before-and-after makeover shows and articles, and I’ve also seen all the bad plastic surgery, freaky plastic surgery, and did-she-or-didn’t-she plastic surgery sites online. I’m all for cosmetic enhancement, though I lean toward the side of surgery in moderation. Anyway.
This show was eye opening. Some procedures were indeed undertaken with “pretty” as the intended end result—they changed people’s lives for the better. Other procedures, like “body modifications,” are a different story altogether. I don’t know if I’m more horrified that people are putting arbitrary silicone shapes under their skin, or that they’re letting people who are not doctors cut into their bodies, without any kind of numbing aid. They are splitting their tongues, burying crosses in their chests—there is big-time blood loss—and these procedures are being done in non-medical facilities. Oh. My. God.
One girl on the show said she didn’t see the difference between subdermal implants and breast implants. I disagree. Breast augmentation is performed by a medical doctor and (hopefully) a board-certified plastic surgeon, in a sterile medical facility, with an anesthesiologist and surgical nurse on hand. Cosmetic surgery procedures are done by a doctor who has been schooled in anatomy; who knows where nerves, veins, and muscles are; and who can prescribe post-surgery antibiotics to prevent infection. To compare artistic body modification procedures done by unregulated amateurs to licensed, regulated cosmetic surgery is absolute insanity. But then again, anyone who would let some dope with no medical training take a scalpel to their head or body in the equivalent of a tattoo shop isn’t thinking clearly. Case in point:
Oh, and there is more. The above videos aren’t so bad, but show you the kind of environment these procedures are being performed in. Here’s a video of some kid getting his tongue sliced in half in a tattoo shop. I think it’s his tattooist mom that is doing it. Notice how she’s shaking like a leaf. It’s lunacy. What would she do if her boy got a nasty infection and had to have more than half his tongue cut off? And how about the girl in the other videos who let some “body modification expert” jab a metal rod into her chest?
Extreme body modification is unregulated and illegal and many states, and for good reason. It’s not Uncle Sam trying to limit your creative expression, but Uncle Sam trying to limit your risk of something going horribly wrong. If you must do it, at least read Wikipedia’s page on body piercing and the risks associated with it before you toddle off to your local tattoo/piercing shop. Again, if you insist, Google procedures, understand the risks, check out the person who’s going to be wielding the scalpel. Do your homework and ensure that proper sterilization is practiced.
A different kind of chest implant.
Subdermal implants.
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
eeeeeeeeeeeeeee, this stuff gives me the creepy crawlies.
I didn’t really read most of this post and I sped past the pictures. I can’t stand to look at it. I hate the idea of some foreign mad-made thing inside a body, under skin. The idea of breast implants creeps me out in the same way, but luckily you usually don’t know just by looking at someone so it’s not a huge problem. These mods on the other hand, there’s no mistaking them.
.-= Kelly´s last blog ..Whitest Weekend/Champagne Saturday =-.
@gritandglamour
March 24, 2010
I agree ladies, the body modifications are creepy…I was absolutely shocked when I saw them on TV.
On to prettier things…a post on the gorgeous, ultracool Victoria Beckham is up next.
I think I’m going to vomit up all the Easter Eggs, thanks a lot!
@gritandglamour
April 5, 2010
FLY girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HAAAA! Sorry to offend. Hey, I was so mortified I had to share it with someone!
While I understand that piercing, tattooing and more extreme forms of body modification are not for everyone, I’m concerned by the dramatization and sensationalism of this post. You make it seem as though the individuals performing these procedures are little more than backyard amateurs randomly taking a scalpel to someone’s body. If you were to research further you would understand that the person who pioneered subdermal and transdermal implants invented the mechanisms and procedures after years of designing medical instrumentation. Likewise, you may be surprised to know that many of the individuals performing these procedures have degrees in anatomy, physiology, biology, and have taken specialized classes through national organizations to get proper training on how to perform these procedures. I currently have 12 piercings and 2 tattoos. I’m considering subdermal anchors in my chest currently. I look just as normal as the next person, hell I’m an attorney in a very conservative office. I respect the fact that everyone has their own level of comfort with these procedures but they are more regulated than you think by your local health departments. They are also subject to regulations by OSHA and have to take blood borne pathogen training through the CDC. Regulations vary state to state currently but there is some form of regulation in every state. I certainly agree with the fact that you need to check out the person performing your modifications and make sure the location is clean. I really hope you take the time to research your postings further before you make such generalized remarks about a group of people you may just not understand.
@gritandglamour
April 16, 2010
Alicia~
Thank you for your comment and perspective. I understand there is regulation, as I used to be married to a tattooist who ran his own shop and had a piercer on staff as well. I’m sure most people doing subdermal implants have been trained and comply with sterilization and training requirements. It’s the ones that don’t that are scary. And there are a lot of very naive people out there who think longer about what car they’re going to buy than what they are planning to do to their bodies, permanently.
While I appreciate your perspective and opinion, as you are entitled to yours, I am also entitled to mine.
Taking a class in blood borne pathogens does not make one qualified to perform some of these procedures. Having a (supposed) degree in anatomy and physiology, and biology does not make one qualified either. If that were true, medical schools and nursing schools would not be necessary. Why both going through 4+ years of specialized training if they can just take a few classes and be good to go? How absurd! What artists do you speak of that have the necessary medical training to perform such procedures? Likewise, what proof do they offer?
People are more than welcome to do whatever they want with their bodies, and there are plenty of people who have had no problems with these kinds of mods. I support people in their choices on body mods and plastic surgery, but don’t kid yourself and claim that these artists are medical professionals. Some may be, but the majority are not.
@gritandglamour
May 17, 2011
Thanks for your comment, and for making these points, G. My thinking exactly.
I know the girl that got the subdermal “horns” on Extreme Dr. 90210. Steve Haworth, who does these procedures, would love to become a certified doctor for what he does…alas law states that any kind of aesthetic procedure is not considered a medical procedure. Therefore, numbing agents cannot be used or he would lose his career and be charged with malpractice. I honestly see very little difference in “abnormal” modifications and “socially accepted” modifications(breast, calf, and buttocks implants, Botox injections, face-lifts, etc.). One person’s taboo is another one’s normality.
I will admit that there are a lot of amateurs damaging themselves and others with their shady modifying, but one would have to be absolutely without a mind to allow such a person touch them. These things are found by asking questions and making observations. If you see your piercer/tattoo artist is not clean, or is acting strangely, refuse to allow them to modify you. Not only that but make sure their boss knows so they can keep an eye on them. Too many cases of bad modifications come from such places, and people just shrug it off instead of reporting it.
The world of body modification is indeed bizarre, but please don’t think it to be this horrific thing people do to damage themselves or others. Modification is a tool to become closer to your ideal image. This is nothing new either, people have been modifying their bodies since the dawn of man. Yes, even without proper equipment and without doctors!
It was definitely interesting reading your perspective on the subject, especially since I know Dani Danger.
Peace and Love
@gritandglamour
April 27, 2010
Nathan~
Thank you for your well-written and thought-provoking comment. You are right…people have been modifying their bodies for thousands of years. And you are also quite right that “One person’s taboo is another one’s normality.” I’m sure there are people out there that would think I’m crazy for the things I’ve done to my body. Please come back and visit again soon!
@kirstinfoley
July 2, 2011
Ick. I’ve seen subdermal implants before, and they kinda freak me out. I’m always thinking – What would happen if it got caught on something since it sticks out so much? What about infection? What if you get a cut, and it starts coming out and causes a tear? – Plus so many other graphic things. Ick.
Kirstin Marie´s latest post: When the day is done
@gritandglamour
July 4, 2011
I second your sentiments, Kirstin!
You haven’t seen anything yet. if you have time, watch the documentary Modify. it will blow your mind. To me, I enjoy watching these sorts of things. I used to have my septum pierced when I was younger, and I have one tattoo. I give a lot of credit to the people out there who aren’t scared to look how they think is attractive.
@gritandglamour
July 15, 2011
I don’t know if I have the stomach to watch that doco, Amy, but thanks for your comment!
Personally I think what you have wrote her is ridiculous. The only people that should be performing body mods such as the ones you have listed are licensed and trained professionals.
For one thing, there is nothing disgusting about what is posted here, people are entitled to do whatever they choose to their bodies in this regard. My wife and I love body mods and have limitless tattoos and piercings.
It may not be for everyone but it is beautiful in our eyes. That’s all that really matters. I think what you’ve posted here is more of your own opinion of how this industry and sub-culture works, not so much as on fact.
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