Hmm, my "yank" hurt only about as much as removing a bandaid from a hairy leg, bled a small amount and healed quickly. I wasn't warned about carbonated drinks, but I didn't drink any; even if I'd had the urge, I was aware there was a hole healing in my stomach, so likely I wouldn't have, but you never know.

I now have the second belly button (both Innies) and also regard it as a badge of honor of sorts.

Towards the end of my use of it, I realized I could push it in or pull it out a little for better flow through it (There's a stopper on the end of it so it won't fall out; the stopper is obviously effective, because when he yanked on the tube, the grommet came out with the tube because the stopper was there.