I had some FFS done a few years back (brow work and a nose job).
It went fine and there was zero pain at all. I'm pretty happy with the results now although initially i was a bit dissatisfied with my nose as they basically gave me a generic hollywood style nose which I dont really feel suits me all that much. I considered getting it revised but what's the point? It's still perfectly fine and honestly very pretty.
I think it is really important to know exactly what you want but also to have realistic expectations. My problem is that i had heard about having realistic expectations and took it to mean have no preferences at all and just let them do whatever.
Another thing to consider is that any kind of surgery that radically alters your appearance can be really confronting psychologically. Also changing one aspect of your face can influence the appearance of other parts in unexpected ways. I think it is really important to think about how are you going to look in a more holistic sense and mentally prepare for the change before you commit to anything.
I hope that helps.
Not much in the west. China has a space program though and its really going places. they just launched their own space station and space telescope.