Earstretching.net

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help answer a few of my questions.

I have been stretching for years, but to be honest, am not overly knowledgable on all of the nuances of this game.
I started stretching from normal ear piercings in 1999 and worked my way up to 5/8 by 2003. I did things pretty gradually and slowly, just moving up a size myself every so often.

In 2003 I met my future/current wife, and she wasn't feeling the size and smell (more on that later) so I went down to double zero. It took a long time, but after wearing nothing in my ears for about a year they want back to double zero.

In 2009 I said fuck it, and started stretching again. The wife dealt with it. I am back up to 5/8.

So, my questions, in light of actually going to a piercer for modification/advice, which I had never done:

1. I was told that once you get to about 9/16 or 5/8, that the ability of the ear to stretch becomes extremely difficult and takes much longer. I have been at 5/8's for about 2 months and eventhough they aren't tight at all anymore he said he wouldn't stretch them to 3/4 because they aren't ready yet.

2. This question does jive with what the dude told me from above. How come from the time I started stretching until I got up to 1/2 I was able to just wear plugs for 2-3 months and work the next size in with some lubrication, I tried that the other night, couldn't come close to working the 3/4 in. I was able to go from 1/2 to 9/16 but I fucked my ears up bad, and had to wait a good 6 months to be able to move up to 5/8 on my own.

3. Why the hell do my ears smell like ass most of the time when I wear acrylic plugs, but not when I wear steal?

4. Lastly, the piercer told me that if my ears continue to be stubborn to stretch further, he can cut them enough to take me all the way up to about 1 - 1 1/2, and everything is completely safe and will heal just fine.

Any answers to these questions, info, tidbits, etc are much appreciated. At this point I know I am going to the point of no return in terms of stretching and I want to take things to the next permanent level, but want to really know my facts about every angle of this so that I can proceed the right and safe way.

THANKS!!

1. After 5/8" the gaps between sizes get larger. If you think about it in mm its much easier. After 5/8" the jumps become 3mm rather than 2mm. Which is a pretty big difference as far as skin is concerned. Its why so many people have problems with 2-0g, its suddenly a 2mm jump instead of 1mm.
Anywho, after a certain point (depending on your ears), heavier jewellery, gravity, and thinner skin means most peoples ears stretch by themselves; which can be a nuisance.

You've been dead-stretching, which isn't a great idea, but if your ears are plenty loose enough its okay. I'd give a taping a go, nice and gradual. Just be sure to keep it plenty lubed.
http://forums.bodyartforms.com/showthre ... ing-Method

Your ears smell like ass when you wear acrylic, because it is ass, lol. Novelty jewellery, that shouldn't be worn for long. Your body can break it down. I like steel and glass, but they can get pretty heavy as solid jewellery. Organics are porous (and wood/horn is light), so absorb the smell better, but definately shouldn't be worn in fresh stretches. Same with silicone.

And scapelling. Takes a while to heal, and they can stretch a bit more than the size they were scapelled to; but they redirect any wonky piercings, and you can get any scar tissue lopped off at the same time if you like. And for most, its pretty easily (surgically) reversible.
http://wiki.bmezine.com/index.php/Scalpelled_Lobe
To me stretching is much rewarding in the long term I think (and more reversible on your own too)

Thanks a lot, that is very helpful.

Thats just pretty brief. But if you have any more questions...