I had braces for almost two years.
When I first got them on, I couldn't eat much of anything for about a week, it took some getting used to and they felt a little sore. If it starts to ache, be sure to stock up on lots of wax -- it's a lifesaver!

But no, they're really not as bad as they sound or look. The tightening and adjustments every month or so can be a pain, but it's all worth it in the end.