I've got six piercings, some awesome, some less so, but (and this may sound all conservative of me but whatever) I wouldn't get an oral piercing. They fuck with your tooth enamel, cause receding gums, and are generally dental nightmares in the long run. Mind you, I've known lots of folks with them who're perfectly happy, but I've also known several who needed dental work because of them.

As for finding a piercer, I lucked out with my first one. I chose her for no other reason than that she had a shop a couple blocks from my house and went to her for almost all the rest. If I were to chose one now, I'd probably only go to one my pierced friends recommended.

Healing depends a lot on where on the body it is, the gauge, and the skill of the piercer. You're probably safe if you follow the aftercare guidelines they give you really closely. General good aftercare for almost any piercing is just soaking it once or twice a day in hot salt water for a minute at a time.

Anyhow, heck yeah piercings! I think they're great.