Question:
Could you wear your tongue ring during surgery?

This Question is for my daughter. She just got her tongue pierced a week ago and has a surgery date of November 5th. It is healed well so far. She wants to know if anyone has put in a plastic filler type of ring that is flush with the tongue and they let them wear it for the surgery? I have already told her that it could get caught on the scope to tube her or just fall out and cause her to choke. She just wants to know if anyone did go through surgery with one in.    — jenafwife (posted on October 14, 2004)

October 13, 2004
Absolutly not!and it wil probably close once removed
   — traceybubbles

October 13, 2004
I agree with former poster.........she'll most likely have to take it out. They even check to see if you have any loose fillings or caps so I'd imagine tongue jewelry would be a no-no.
   — scbabe

October 13, 2004
Nope.. Its got to come out. Even 'false' teeth have to come out. and Jewerly on your body - off...
   — star .

October 14, 2004
Just curious--if your daughter knew it might be a problem, why didn't she just wait until after surgery to get it pierced? Or is she like my oldest--stubborn as a bull ;) I would say it definitely should come out. I don't know about it closing up though, as I have never had a tongue piercing. Good luck to your daughter! Joy
   — gerardlovesjoy

October 14, 2004
No mine had to come out. I put it back in when I got to my room.
   — sarah C.

October 14, 2004
Hi Jen! As a body piercer, I would absolutely reccommend NOT wearing a metal bar during the surgery. I have not had this surgery yet, but this is pretty standard with any surgical procedure. As the piercing is still new, I would recommend a plastic barbell available just about anywhere, to wear instead. They don't do piercings with them because they are flexible, but it will help to keep the piercing open during surgery, and she won't break her teeth if she bites down! :) Just a note, It is generally not recommended to change a piercing until at least 6 weeks out, but in the case of surgery, and the fact that she is healing well, this would be, in my opinion, the best option for her. Make sure though, that after her hospital stay, she returns to her normal barbell. Try to get the plastic bar in the same guage to prevent injury post surgery to partial closure. She may need to restart her tongue healing process afterwards because of the switch. ie: Ice and mouthwash, possibly seasalt depending on the extent of trauma, if any, to the hole. I wish you both the best of luck!
   — ninoid

October 14, 2004
I had to take mine out before surgery, it will get in the way of the tube they put down your throat. Plus numerous other good reasons... Good luck to your daughter !! =)
   — Stephanie D.

October 14, 2004
She will have to take it for the surgery... sometimes when being intubated the tongue needs to be grabbed or moved out of the way and having a tongue ring in is dangerous (for choking or tearing reasons). She will be allowed to put it back in once she returns to her room.
   — MagickalMom

October 14, 2004
I've always had to take mine out. I probably wouldn't even put a plastic replacement in because plastic or not it may interfere with the tube they will use. Also, if you did put something in I think it would be more worrisome if it came loose and you swolled it than anything else. I agree with Sarah. Just put it back in when you get back to your room. Hope this helps. Good Luck!!!
   — Lisa J.

October 14, 2004
I took mine out for the surgery. I had no problems getting it back in once I returned home. I can go awhile with mine out, though. Some people can't. Like most everyone else , I think she will have to remove it. She can always have it waiting for her to put back in when she gets to her room. Best Wishes on her surgery!!
   — Rhonda S.

October 14, 2004
Removing it goes for other things (and other piercings as well)- I had to remove my nose piercing before an MRI, and could not get it back in... and it closed before I could get to my guy :( It was emergent so I didn't have a chance to get a plastic spacer. Bummer.
   — kultgirl

October 15, 2004
Hi Jen,I had Hernia repair last week and they taped my nose, but the mouth is alot different, I would take it out and you as her mother when you can get in recovery with her if she still wants it in, put it in ASAP they close very fast that way she wont feel the pain.I also had my nose pierced 3 weeks before surgery didnt no my date was gonna come up that fast, but Doctor said it was ok he would just tape it, but like I said once she is in recovery get it back in ASAP. Good Luck. Christine Clymire
   — blainejrjeni

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