People stop noticing your brace, until you have it off, then they will probably comment on what a wonderful smile you have :)
I was 21 when I had mine fitted, and I'm 23 now, it should be off by my 24th birthday. I felt I was "too old" to have a brace (mainly from sitting in the waiting room with lots of kids in school uniform) but just think what a wonderful anti-ageing device it will be! Noone notices my brace at all, even when I had all my hooks put on for surgery. Yes it is uncomfortable at times, and you do get food stuck in it (my fiance is great at doing "brace-checks" I had quite an embarrassing moment with some mozzarella cheese from a pizza once!) however it is not constantly painful or anything! Just rubs sometimes and can hurt when you have it tightened. It will be so worth it having it done, just think of the end result!!! :)