I recall posting in a thread regarding braces but this isn't the one but I'll share my opinions anyways.
I was always a resistant person so I rarely complained about my braces but I can indeed say they do hurt, but only on the first 4 days (maximum) in my experience. My dentists said I've always had strong teeth which may be the cause why the pain for me is very minimum. My brother has braces too and he cannot eat comfortably after the first few days but I can. I admit it hurts but it doesn't hurt to the point where I cannot eat at all so I usually endure it, but it's not hard for me really. This is why I'm confused of why people like my brother have to eat soup for the first few days and then I'm just sitting there eating fried fish without any hassle (pain yes, but very very minimal, also you don't regularly eat fried fish on the first few days of your monthly brace adjusting).
Currently, I'm at the last stage of braces where my top row of teeth is in perfect position and I just need minimal re-adjusting to my bottom row of teeth which needs to be brought up in line with the completed top row since I the reason why I got braces in the first place because I had a rather big deep-bite which is where your bottom row of teeth is in a position where it is deeper in your mouth than it should be. My dentists say I have 2-3 months left of braces which sounds awesome but its not because you need 6 more months of retainers after your braces are taken off to keep your fragile teeth in check which frustrates me because I've gone 1.2 years without biting a burger or eating popcorn (huge brace no-nos but I can cut burgers but it cuts my soul each time) and having to go for 9 more months maximum without being able to bite a burger really grinds my gears but I'll have to tolerate it.
Braces are pretty expensive but I'd say they're worth it if you want the perfect dental health as once you grow older it'll be really hard to maintain good teeth posture and it also helps you get a better smile because braces actually adjust your mouth as well as your teeth so you could end up looking more pretty / handsome or get a better mouth structure or smile in general. I understand people who don't want to spend a heck ton of money just to fix your mouth and teeth but personally I'd recommend it if you really need it. For me, I feel more pain about not being able to eat a lot of stuff more than teeth pain but that's different for everybody but during braces I really recommend just taking your mind of the pain and relax, if it's hurting than do things that take your mind off the pain and soon in the process you won't be bothered by it. After 4 days sometimes I forget I even have braces on because it doesn't hurt anymore, also with the addition of rubber bands which literally pull my sets of teeth together and two metal plates drilled into the side of mouth which I think should hurt quite a lot (it did for the first few days which hurt the most in the time I had my braces but it barely bothers me anymore).
So here's my experience with braces, to sum up my advice for newcomers. It does hurt, I can guarantee that but if you find methods to take your mind off it then by all means do the pain will go away very soon and you'll be fine if you don't have any extra conditions that increase the pain. About the food you eat, the first few days if its hurting quite a lot, then I'd go with what the dentist tells you, soft food and soup works. But for me I can eat anything on the first few days, but I'd say if its hurting quite a lot then I'd wait a week before eating fried or crispy or sticky foods, but whatever you want is good as long as you don't mind the consequences.
Ok enough of me rambling on here's my final say. Would recommend, helps dental health and mouth structure, only setbacks are pain (depending no how tolerant you are but depends on condition), and you probably won't be able to eat your favorite foods in your favorite methods as probably so you'll have to endure that.
Good luck to all those starting to have braces and have them now. It'll be over as soon as you know it.