Was premolar extraction worth it?

This subreddit probably gets this question frequently but I'd like to ask as my own post to have a more personal connection with the answers.

I'm 17M. I just had all my first premolars extracted because of braces, as recommended by my orthodontist, a few hours ago. I have an overbite, a protruding front tooth (upper), and very crowded front teeth (lower). Now all I hear are horror stories about premature ageing, sleep apnea, and sunken cheeks. I've been in emotional distress since and knowing that it's irreversible isn't helping me. And yeah, if anything bad does happen, I have no one but myself to blame. So please, let's not talk about my ignorance.

I don't even know what my question is: Did I just ruin my face? Did I just waste 4 perfectly healthy teeth for no reason? Is it worth it? The worst part is how mixed everything on the Internet is. People are either saying how bad it is or how good it is. Including professionals. I have no idea who to believe. So if you're reading this: either an orthodontist or someone who's had their premolars extracted, please insert your 2 cents!

P.S. I feel like I wasn't educated enough by the dentist to make an informed decision. I had my braces consultation yesterday, and they said I had to do extraction tomorrow (which was today, a few hours ago). The whole thing felt rushed, and I can't help but feel skeptical although the orthodontists at my place have years of experience. They just didn't mention anything about pros, cons, how it'll affect other things like facial structure, or even mention of alternatives. I'm currently trying my best to have faith in the process despite the tremendous anxiety.