Tongue Splitting: Procedure, Risks, Benefits, Cost, and More

Remember

Have an experienced professional oral or plastic surgeon split your tongue. Doing it yourself at home can drastically increase your risk of infections or irreversible damage to your tongue.

There's more than one way to split a tongue. Here are the most common methods:

Scalpel

To split your tongue with a scalpel, your surgeon will follow these steps:

1. They'll heat a scalpel to help seal the wound more quickly and prevent excess blood loss.
2. They'll use the scalpel to cut a straight line from the tip of your tongue back toward your throat until they reach a point you're comfortable with.
3. Then, they'll stitch together the sides of the tongue that were cut.

Cauterization

To split your tongue with cauterization, using either an argon laser or cautery tool:

1. The surgeon will direct the heated beam of the laser or tool along the area you want split, essentially burning through the tongue tissues and sealing blood vessels to prevent bleeding.
2. Finally, they'll stitch together any parts of the tongue that aren't fully sealed by the heat.

Tie-off or fishing line

This is the most common DIY tongue splitting method, but it should only be done under the supervision of a professional.

Most people who do this start with a tongue piercing placed where they want the back end of the split to be.

The idea is that the professional will thread a piece of twine or fishing line through the piercing hole, and tie it tightly at the tip of the tongue to put pressure on, and over time with tighter and tighter knots, pierce the tongue.

The cost varies widely depending on where you get it done and the experience of the person who does it. On average, this procedure costs about $1,500 to $2,500.

The pain of tongue splitting can be pretty intense if you try to do it yourself or with someone who's inexperienced.

Pain scale

On a scale of 1 to 10, the pain of getting your tongue split — and the pain during recovery afterward — is about 7 to 9.

This also depends on your pain tolerance and whether or not you use pain medications after the procedure.

Your tongue takes about two weeks to fully heal, and the pain will gradually get easier to tolerate over time.

Pain may be more intense when you talk, eat, or generally use your tongue throughout the day.

Once the surgical site seals up, the stitches fall out, and you get used to the new ways you'll need to move your tongue, the pain will ease up significantly.

Tongue splitting comes with many risks. Some may happen during or right after the procedure, but others may not be obvious until long after it's been done.

Here are some of the risks of the procedure itself:

• heavy bleeding
• blood infection from surgical tools
• damage to nerves or muscles in the tongue
• damage to tooth surfaces from surgical tools
• endocarditis, or heart infection

Some risks that may occur after you've done the procedure, especially if it wasn't done by a professional or doesn't heal well include:

• swelling
• continuous bleeding
• discharge from the split area
• tongue infection
• gum infection, often caused by infection of the surgical site
• gums recession
• permanent scarring on the tongue
• development of thick, bumpy scar tissue on the tongue
• death of tongue tissue

Even if your tongue heals, you may experience some long-term and irreversible side effects, such as:

• higher risk of mouth infections
• producing more saliva than before
• changes in breathing
• airway blockage
• loss of sensation or ability to taste certain flavors
• loss of total control of tongue movement
• lesions on the roof of your mouth

Tongue splitting can look pretty cool, especially if it's done along with piercings or other body mods.

The unique appearance or shock factor is one of the main appeals of this procedure. It was made especially (in)famous by Erik Sprague, self-styled as the Lizardman, who had a tongue splitting procedure done, along with hundreds of other body modifications, including surgically implanted spines, to look more like a lizard.

A split tongue can also have a sexual appeal. A split tongue may give you access to new styles of kissing, and some people have reported that they can perform new types of oral sex.

See your doctor right away if you notice any of the following after you've gotten the procedure done:

• heavy bleeding that won't stop
• parts of the surgical site opening up or stitches falling out
• abnormal pus or discharge oozing from the site
• symptoms of infection in the tongue
• unusual pain or tenderness in your gums or teeth
• tongue healing slowly or not at all
• surgical site getting worse
• fever

Tongue splitting is a type of body modification that people do for various reasons.

It can be dangerous, even if it's done by a professional. Don't ever try to do it yourself unsupervised, and seek emergency medical help if you experience any severe symptoms or complications.

Some resources to find a reputable surgeon or business who can split your tongue include the Loftus Plastic Surgery Center and Reddit.