[stagebear]

i've had mine for about 7 months now, and i love it.
the piercing process went really well for me. the piercing didn't hurt at all. the only pain i had was when it really swelled the morning after, but it wasn't anything a little ibuprophen and ice couldn't cure. i didn't have any problems talking at all, and the swelling was pretty much gone in a few days.
i didn't eat any hot foods for the first day, then no solid for a few more, but then was fine.
i would suggest not getting a barbell with metal balls for the first one cause you don't want to chip a tooth the first time you start to eat solid foods again.
i was supposed to wait for two months to change the barbell, but after a month, i was healed enough to change to a smaller size.
so, i'd tell your friend to go for it!