Tongue Splitting - Halloween Horror Plastic Surgery Procedure

When it comes to changes in the mouth, most people choose venerers or dental crowns. A more extreme choice is the procedure known as “tongue splitting” which is exactly what it sounds like as the treatment involves splitting the tongue of the patient in half.

Now that you have taken a moment to process that visual…Let’s examine how tongue splitting is performed as well as some of the risks involved with the treatment,

Tongue Splitting – Why is it Performed?

In general, this oral body modification procedure is performed either around the tip of the tongue or towards the middle of the tongue in order to give the tongue a look that is “forked” in appearance. The reasons for having this procedure include wanting to gain a new aesthetic to the tongue, having a better self-image, and the desire to perform certain types of sexual acts with the tongue.

It is important to remember that this body modification procedure is delicate to perform and requires the skills of a doctor who specializes in the treatment. One of the reasons the procedure is so delicate to perform is that the tongue is dense with muscles and nerves that have a risk of being damaged. Because of the amount of nerves and muscles in the tongue, patients should never attempt to perform the treatment on their own as this can lead to a greater chance of an infection or damage to the tongue.

Tongue Splitting – How is it Performed?

There are multiple ways to perform tongue splitting and they are listed below:

• The fishing line or tie-off method starts with the piercing of the tongue created where the patient wants the back end of the split to be located. Then, a piece of fishing line or twine is placed through the piercing hole so it can be tightly tied at the tip of the tongue and also place pressure on the area. The line or twine is tied with tighter and tighter knots (as time passes) where the tongue was pierced.
• The doctor will heat a scalpel so the wound can be sealed more quickly while also preventing an excessive amount of blood loss. The scalpel is used to create a straight line cut from the tip of the tongue to the back of the throat. The cut will continue to a point that the patient is comfortable with in the mouth. Then, the sides of the tongue that were cut by the surgeon are stitched together.
• If the surgeon decides to split the tongue using a cauterization method, the heated beam of the tool or laser will be directed along the area of the tongue that will be split. This step is performed in order to burn through the tissues of the tongue and also seal the blood vessels. Then, the surgeon will stitch together any parts of the tongue that were not fully sealed by the heated beam.

Tongue Splitting – Is There Pain Involved with the Procedure?

In general, the level of pain from the treatment can be very intense if the doctor is not experienced in performing the treatment or if the patient tries to perform the procedure on their own.

Some patients have described the level of pain as being between seven and nine (on a scale of one to ten). The level of pain also depends on whether or not the patient takes any pain medication and their level of pain tolerance.

It can take about two weeks for the tongue to fully heal, and the amount of pain will be easier to take as time passes. Once the area where the surgery was performed seals, the stitches will fall out and the patient will start to feel less pain the more they move their tongue.

Tongue Splitting – Possible Risks

There are multiple risks associated with tongue splitting and these risks can happen during the procedure or after the treatment. The possible risks include:

• Bleeding
• Damage to the muscles or nerves in the tongue
• Infection of the tongue
• Swelling
• Damage to the surface of a tooth due to the use of surgical tools
• Gum infection
• Discharge from the area where the tongue split is located
• Scar tissue on the tongue that is permanent
• Death of some of the tongue tissue
• Loss of sensation
• Loss of ability to tase certain flavors
• Blockage of the airway
• Higher production of saliva
• Loss of control over the movements of the tongue

Tongue Splitting – Is it Worth it?

While the final results can have a cool look to them, patients must be prepared for the shock factor that will occur when others view the results for the first time. The average person might be caught off guard or even not want to view the tongue of the patient.

The answer to whether or not the treatment is worth it can only be answered by the patient. The person who wants the surgery needs to discuss the benefits and drawbacks of the treatment with a medical professional, so they have a better understanding of everything that is involved with performing the surgery, the recovery period, and the final results.

- MA