Are they really that bad?

OK, so the other day I went to the dentist, I had to teeth pulled, and it hurt, and also i found out i needed braces. When I was little, i ALWAYS wanted them, but now, I am totally freaking out. I only need to get top braces until my canines (which were pulled) come in fully, along w/ the braces I need a banding, i only need the braces for a year. To make a long story short, are braces really that bad, and what is a banding? Thank you for your cooperation!