Speak With A Forked Tongue -- Literally

[Steven]

Speak With A Forked Tongue -- Literally

Tongue-Splitting Takes Body Art To New, Dangerous Level

POSTED: 9:25 p.m. EST November 24, 2003

UPDATED: 1:06 a.m. EST November 25, 2003

NEW YORK -- Snakes use their forked tongues to sense predators. But now, humans are looking to emulate that trend.

Tattoo artist "Alex" says he got it done -- and it didn't hurt. The process involves someone using a scalpel, and literally splitting a person's tongue into two pieces, creating a "forked" appearance.

But why did Alex get it done?

"Because I'm the type of person [who thinks] you only live once," he said.

Alex says there's a sexual element to this procedure, and that he is part of a sizable group who say piercing have become too pass? -- and this is now the best way to be different.

But is it safe? Dr. Robert Glickman at New York University's College of Dentistry says no.

"The worst-case scenario would be an uncontrollable bleeding during the procedure or post-operative swelling of the tongue which would obstruct the airway," Glickman said.

"T.J." is a piercer, and he does tongue-splitting, too, for $250. He uses a scalpel for the procedure, and he says it takes about a month to heal. He advises that his "clients" regularly pull the two tongue pieces it apart to help it not "heal" back together.

T.J. has been doing piercings for all kinds of people for the last four years. He has only been doing tongue-splitting for one year and he won't give it to just anyone. He won't do the procedure if a person is under 18, and even if the person fulfills the age requirement, then he tells people to consider it carefully -- because once you do it, it's not easy to go back.

"I've done about 30 or 40 of them, and I have never messed up one," T.J. said.

Glickman admits a split tongue is actually less prone to infection than a pierced tongue, but he still shuns the idea.

And Glickman is not alone. New York state is one of a few considering a bill to ban tongue splitting unless it's performed by an oral surgeon.

http://www.wnbc.com/health/2662251/detail.html

[TheDogsBed]

Hmmm. A little too far for me I think. That has to hurt!

[....]

Psychos.

[Dave Veteran]

I hear the next new hip body mod is going to be of the .45 caliber. Hipsters take heed and do it before the masses think its cool!

[Spyder Veteran]

idiots

[Ducane]

Weird.

[aem4162]

:x

*anita goes for a hurl*

[Spyder Veteran]

:x

*anita goes for a hurl*

lol oh thanks, that image just helps this whole thread! :rofl:

[Boffa Jones Veteran]

there is a guy who did that and has lizard scal tatoos all over his body, and surgically implatend redgies above his eyes. he wants to be a lizard or soemthing.

[FlishFun Veteran]

there is a guy who did that and has lizard scal tatoos all over his body, and surgically implatend redgies above his eyes. he wants to be a lizard or soemthing.

You mean... The Lizard Man?

Here's a pic of a split tongue, by the way (yes, it's real):

And here are more pics: Body Modifications (Lizard Man)

[Boffa Jones Veteran]

Thats the guy.... Looking like that would suck.

[m4ch1n3g0d]

Looks like something you would later regret doing in life. definetly too hardcore for me.