My recommendations would be to take Advil before your appointment and follow with that every 4-6 hours for the first day or two. You won't feel the discomfort on your teeth for a couple of hours. You want the Advil in your system before you feel it.
+1 for the Advil.

I've never had braces, but I've gone through it with two of my teens. We load this last one up with Advil the morning of his appointments, because there is quite a bit of pressure as the day goes on.

Also, my other son is now 22 and his bottom teeth are no longer straight, because he stopped wearing his retainer at some point. Don't waste your money by not wearing the retainer.

It will take longer for you to see changes because you don't grow fast like kids do.

Those Damon brackets sound lovely--wonder why they didn't offer them to my son? (He got his done at a place that is almost like a factory, heavily advertised and churning out the pearly white smiles--but the price is right!)

I think you should do it, if it will make you feel better about your smile. Good luck!

Karen