I never really had a problem with braces. I just didn't like my ortodontist. He was creepy, and he smelled like ciggarettes and vomit [shiver].
I only had mine for a year and a half, which I'm very grateful for. But I had everything, top and bottom braces, spacer, elastics and headgear, retainer. Blah, it was hell.
But it was all worth it in the end! [grins] I don't have the nickname "Vampire" anymore, so it definitly was worth it!
You got CANDY! I got nothin'. My orthodontist is cheap. Bah!