About two months ago, I decided I was so close to an 0g for my PA that I would stretch the piercing to 0 g. I got a correct taper...lots of nerve and then slowly worked the taper through with a 1/2 curved barbell. It eventually went in, but I must say that it was not "pain free or blood free." There was a bit of bleed not much, but a bit. I also have to say I had a hell of a sweat going too...wow. That jump from 2g to 0g is huge and to say that that is just a couple of millimeters.....wow. When I got to the level part of the taper, and this was a small taper about 2.5" or so, and that would be an issue I would learn later, there was this huge sense of relief and true calm. When I was done, I had a very, very, very full PA and urethra opening - but could pee. I then continued my drinking a lot of liquids and especially cranberry juice. There was a lot of soaking with sea salts as well and for about 36 hours things were um ok... However, I will say “my parts were bruised” and showed it.

Then complications arose...big complications. I had a lot of swelling and sharp pains...so, did soaks and that helped a bit. But, about 24-30 hours later, I went in and saw blood...lots of it. Also the entire underside of the head and shaft were deep red and started to itch - terribly so. Well, I figured ok, I need to pull out the piercing and see what is going on. When I did that I had lots of blood and clear liquid. PANIC PANIC PANIC. Yes, the mind does a lot tricks to you ranging from scenarious trying to explain the complications to your bride, she was awesome about all of this I have to say, to the very real possibility of having to try explaining this to a conservative doctor/friend

Fortunately my original piercer was reachable by phone (JOSH! THANK YOU AT SLAVE in Seattle). I live hours away from any place to consult and I know my local doc wouldn't be all that supportive of this type of modification or any modification come to think of it. Josh concurred to taking out and going back to the 2 g. He was really quick to note that this jump from 2g to 0g can be really hard on lots of guys - he has a friend/customer who had to try this stretch three times (ouch) before it took. He said that this is a big jump in the stretching and that his shop uses very, very long tapers (7-8") that are lubed that allow for a much more gradual stretching. The suspicion was that I went too fast on the stretch and tore tissues inside that then were not draining because of the tightness of the stretch and jewelry. He, and others I reached out to via bodymod.org, all said that they thought when it healed the 0g would take without much problem. He highly recommended the continuation of the soaks and fluids. I did a lot of soaks over that weekend and truly the nasty colors, terrible pain, and itching went away quickly.

I had the 2g with a ball that on one end was 0g and the other larger. I left that in and did soaks for a few weeks. After two weeks, as another piercer suggested, I also utilized some Vitamin D and Vitamin E oils to just keep things lubed in there. At one point, I even tried a bit of bag balm - but probably shouldn't have. All did seem to help though, a lot
actually. The area that was slow to heal, and that I have irritated a few times is the bridge between the two holes. I feel that the uretha lining was a bit harder to get through on the initial stretch and the capillaries therein are what cause me problems!

Well a few weeks later I suddenly felt a small "pop" sensation...went to the restroom and there was the curved barbell sitting in my shorts...the 0g end had pulled through. No huge discomfort - so I put it back and went about my business. Over the next week or so, it kept happening. At that point I got out the 0g short taper and put in the circular barbell and it went right in.

Now one issue I have is my bride doesn't want "that huge thing" (the barbell) in her. So, I have to take it out for our play time. Here is part of the problem - I seem to have been catching part of the healing tissue inside. As a result, I am doing soaks and such still - still getting a bit of sluff material on the jewelry and at times a bit of a pinch/stick that also has a bit of red tinge to it at times. More soaking and a few drops of oil at time. Also, I have found that if I use the short taper to reinsert the jewelry - the "re-irritating" of the stretch does appear to occur - duh, but I am a slow learner.

Just wanted to post this as an experience and some pieces of advice:

Go with a longer taper – if it stops – don’t keep going. This is not one to rush and try telling yourself "NO PAIN NO GAIN."

Consider having this jump done by a professional.

Sea Salt Soaks are TRULY YOUR BEST FRIEND’S FRIEND.

If you need to pull things out to “play”, use a short concave taper to reinsert the jewelry after some time healing.