why do people get their tongue spilt in half??

Answer 1

On July 18, 1997 I underwent surgery to bifurcate or split my tongue. Dr. Lawrence Busino performed the operation using an argon laser in Albany, NY. Given the success of the procedure I had the split made deeper by undergoing the operation again on October 3, 1997.

History & Motivation

I had imagined, fantasized, and dreamed about split tongues since childhood. I would often sketch faces or characters with forked tongues. I was drawn to idea both aesthetically and for the potential sensual aspects it implied. However, I thought it to be simply an idle fantasy and not something that would eventually be so easily achievable. By rumor and second references I began to hear about people splitting their tongues through methods like cutting between multiple piercings and similar efforts but I could find no hard evidence or first hand accounts. I discovered BME in late 1996 and saw similar information and reports to the ones I had already encountered. But then there was an update in BME Extreme that included notes from an Italian gentleman who was splitting his tongue via cutting and cauterization. There were no pictures at first but this was a great motivator. I began to consider how I would split my tongue and beyond simply researching anatomy I realized that consulting an oral surgeon would probably be the best route - if I could find one that would talk to me about such an esoteric topic. I was in luck, I first began by searching for oral surgeon that performed voluntary adult frenectomies (sometimes call tongue lengthening) and figured that I would first discuss getting this procedure and then bridge into the subject of tongue splitting. The first place I called was the office of Dr. Busino and after a positive conversation with the office secretary I broached the subject of doing something 'more unusual' and was soon talking with the doctor himself. Dr. Busino was very open-minded and interested in my ideas and so I set up an appointment to consult with him at his offices.

Prelude to the Procedure

In the time between my phone call and my appointment, BME Extreme got some pictures of the Italian gentleman's tongue. I printed out these images and the translated notes to bring along with me, I was also armed with a fair amount of structural knowledge about the tongue and some existing procedures which could potentially be modified to suit my desires - the main one being an operation for reducing the width of a persons tongue (often with Downs Syndrome) during which the tongue is split and then put back together. When I arrived at the office I filled out the standard forms, I was going to get the lengthening regardless of whether he would perform the split, and waited to meet with Dr. Busino. The doctor was everything he had seemed on the phone - friendly, open-minded, and willing to entertain unusual ideas in order to meet the needs of his patients. I was also impressed with his facilities since I have seen many a dentist office that compared miserably to the standards of cleanliness and sterility practiced in any reputable piercing shop. The doctor suggested using an argon laser that was used in many other tongue procedures such as biopsies and frenectomies. He also told me that there were some options such as simply splitting the tongue and leaving a cleaved look or suturing together the mucosa along the interior of the split for a more rounded look. His only real reservation was the potential for a serious speech impediment as a result of the operation but he was willing to proceed if I accepted this risk. I opted for the latter not only for the desired appearance but also because it would help reduce the amount of re-growth between the forks. Before I left, I scheduled an appointment and also posed for some photos for Dr. Busino who was quite interested in my performance acts and other modifications.

The Procedure

The morning of my appointment I was excited and ready to get my new tongues. First, the line for the split was marked - bilateral and just less than inch deep, we decided to use my tongue piercing as the point to split to with the idea that the already healed hole would provide a good base for the split. With the mark confirmed I was given two shots of Novocain at the back of either side of my jaw - enough so that I would be able to remain still but not enough to completely numb me. After a short wait to let the Novocain take effect I was given another quick shot in the tongue itself. Then, I put on some protective eyewear and the operation began. The laser itself was relatively quiet but the suction machine for the fumes was quite noisy. There was minimal discomfort but I did get the interesting experience of smelling and tasting my own burning tongue. The nurse told me that many people find that cherry coke helps cut the taste, which I thought was amusing. Once the split was made, the sutures were put in - this was the only time that there was any bleeding since the laser cauterizes as it works. The whole procedure took about half an hour and afterwards I was given a standard set of aftercare instructions for laser surgery and prescriptions for both antibiotics and painkillers.

Aftermath & Aftercare

I went directly from the doctor's office to a pharmacy to get the prescriptions filled. By the time I had my drugs in hand, the swelling had become very significant and there was a throbbing soreness. I promptly went home and laid down with an ice cube in mouth. For the first couple days I fasted and avoided speaking of my own accord but given the swelling I have to wonder how optional this really would have been. I had intended not to use the painkillers but ended up taking a dose each night for the first three nights to help sleep. The initial 48 hours post-procedure was marked mainly by ice cubes and taking antibiotics. On the third day I began the indicated salt-water rinses, which felt wonderful. The swelling rapidly subsided from the fourth day to the seventh at which time I began eating normally again. I did have a slight lisp into the second week but this rapidly went away as the swelling went down completely and I adjusted to the new tongues. By the end of a month people who had known me since childhood but didn't know I had gotten the bifurcation didn't notice a difference in my speech and were quite surprised when I showed them.

Tongue Bifurcation - The Second Procedure

On October 3, 1997 I had my tongue split deepened while I was already in to have my wisdom teeth removed. My initial splitting had healed quite well but there had been some re-growth and since the first procedure was an experiment, and had been a success, I now wanted to split my tongue as much as possible. Since Dr. Busino would be performing my wisdom teeth extraction and I would already be anaesthetized, it would be the perfect time to split my tongue back further.

The procedure was essentially the same as the first. This time Dr. Busino split the full length of my tongue that I was able to extend beyond my teeth. The suturing pattern was a bit adjusted from the first time since the doctor had discovered some improvements from performing the procedure on others since my initial operation.

Healing was noticeably faster this time and I was much more involved with my healing gums than I was with my tongues. I was speaking and eating again fairly well by the second day. As part of my aftercare I began to carefully watch and pick apart as necessary the tissue on the interior of the forks - as a result I experienced significantly little re-growth.



Summary

Having my tongue split was one the best things that I have ever done. The results have been fantastic, I have independent sensation in both and, after some practice, independent control. However, the best thing about it beyond achieving my own goal is that I have been able to help others achieve theirs as well. I very quickly sent information on my procedure to BME and made everything public. Soon thereafter I began helping others get in contact with and have the operation done by Dr. Busino - even offering them a place to stay while in the area. This resulted in me meeting and making a number of new friends, including Shannon of BME himself. At the point I had my procedure done I was only vaguely aware of one other person in the world doing something similar and now I get near daily emails from people who either have a forked tongue or are interested in getting one.

Answer 2

This is what's known as a bifurcated tongue, and the most famous person with this type of body modification is Erik Sprague, aka The Lizardman. The choice to do this operation is considered aesthetic, much like ear piercings or undergoing circumcision, although obviously more extreme.
Mostly its to look like a reptile, and those undergoing tongue splitting also do other things, like file their teeth, get surgical implants beneath their skin, or tattoo scale patterns.
"Most who have had the procedure report that it enhances the pleasure of kissing. With a bit of practice, one learns to move the forks of the tongue independently." (That must be a trip...)
Although creepy to most people, it's not very popular, nor is it the weirdest thing on the menu in terms of body modification, which can include volunteer amputations, penis infibulation (you don't really want to know), and a whole collection of other really really deranged things.
Psychologically, many people seek the novelty of new sensations or sometimes find the pain involved in body modifications pleasurable. Tongue splitting is no exception.
As for "devil and worshiping satan", I find it strange that so many people still treat anything weird by attaching anti-christian evil meaning to it. And not everybody who does something you wouldn't do is insane.

Answer 3

Either because they have an infatuation with snakes or they love pain & think that's cool. I've watched some shows on people that have had it done (it showed them having it done) Apparently they think it looks wild & want to be different. Plus, where they can move each side different ways, it's supposed to "pleasure" their partner better. Guess it's just like some people like getting their tongue pierced, these people just like going to extremes.

Answer 4

They don't intend to split it in half.

It happens when someone with a tongue piercing gets it caught on someone else piercing or braces....RIP!

Answer 5

White man speak with forked tongue?

Answer 6

Well, a pic might be nice. You should probably see a doctor. Im not sure what they would do about a split tongue. How bad is it split?

Answer 7

This is not like pierces and tattooings. You can bleed to death if something goes wrong with the operation.

Answer 8

Because some want it b/c they want to seem more like a snake or etc. Others do it b/c they think it is pretty cool. I think it is awesome!!

Answer 9

OKAY PEOPLE LIKE THAT SHOULD GET CHECKED OUT BUT THEY DO IT FOR ATTENTION AND TRYING TO BE COOLIER THAN ROCK STARS AND MOSTLY LIKELY BECAUSE THEY WANT TO BE THE DEVIL OR WORSHIP SATIN!

Answer 10

Poor knife-handling skills is the usual cause.

Answer 11

Ouch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have mine pierced, but I don't think that's as daring and strange as cutting it completely in half.