Does a c section hurt?

Alright so my first birth was pretty traumatic. My son was a 9lb baby 21 1/2 long, they had no clue he was going to be that big. I was induced at 40 weeks, it was long but ok until the pushing came. He was stuck and I pushed for 3 hours before they vacuumed him out. I had a 4th degree tear. He had shoulder dystocia and came out blue and not breathing. He was in the nicu for a week (thankfully!!!). Anyways this time my doctor thinks a c section would be a better route. Baby hasn’t measured big but you never know. They can’t tell if some of the problems were from the shape of my pelvis or just from baby being large but I’m at risk for the same complications. I really don’t want to go through what I did last time as bad as I want a vaginal birth. I think c section is probably the best route and safest for both my baby and I .... but I am TERRIFIED of having surgery always have been. Does it hurt? Do you feel pain? Or is it just like a pressure? Also would you chose to a csection pr would you try for a natural birth again?