Do a search, there's like bazillion threads on when to neuter. :)
Here's a recent one:
http://www.rottweiler.net/forums/sho...threadid=23406
I recall one a couple of years ago that went on for pages and pages...that would be a good one to dig up!
Recovery is fast - a day or so. Some dogs will lick the stitches and have to wear an e-collar or one of those donut things, but most dogs don't need to.