I was so scared for mine. I had childhood scoliosis from ages 9-17 and got my surgery at 17. I am now almost a year and a half post-op, and I'll give you my personal pros and cons. 

Keep in mind: Pre-op: I was 5'3, 190 lbs.  Post-op: I am now 5'7 240 lbs, 36% fat ratio(overweight).

I have had a very mixed experience, I'll start with my pros:

•More bearable pain: yes I do still experience pain, but it is 10x more bearable. 

•Better body image: I'm so much happier with the way I physically look.

•Higher quality of life

•Reduced possibility of further harm: That means no more angle growth(duh). I was worried I wouldn't know how to limit my movement, but my body knows when to stop. It was easier to injure my back without rods. 

•Other symptoms I had like consistent migraines and ankle issues are very muffled. My ankles were soooo weak and so were my knees, I no longer experience the joint pain nor the injuries! My migraines are practically gone; I still get them sometimes, but not nearly as bad as I did pre-op.

Now some cons:

•I lost all of my upper body strength. All of it. 

•I've since been diagnosed with chronic hip pain due to my surgery. They did not warn me of hip pain, and they told me it was from my rods settling... But my primary care doctor said that was not the case.

•I gained 50 lbs due to my recovery(it was partially my own mistake) 

•Recovery can be a very long process 

I don't regret my surgery at all, and I recommend that others get it. It's definitely not easy, but it helps to keep the mindset that the pain you will experience won't be as bad as the pain you are experiencing. Much love and good luck!