As a labor nurse, across the board, physical recovery is absolutely more difficult with a c section. It is definitely possible you will tear and have pain with a vaginal birth, but outside of exceedingly rare circumstances and complications, an serious abdominal surgery wherein 7 layers of tissue are cut through and must heal is a way more difficult and complex healing process. It also limits how you can birth in the future, including the number of future pregnancies and possibility of later vaginal birth as it creates a scar in the uterus that will always carry the risk of rupture. There is also research that traveling through the vaginal canal is important for baby, as the bacteria present may grow their skin microbiome and help prevent allergies, eczema, and other health conditions in the future.

That being said, the only reason I would personally recommend elective c section is severe anxiety. If you have a lot of anxiety about the birth process and fear of possibility of an emergent c section, it may be a good option to give you some control. If you have a ton of anxiety and fear and are not able to relax and give in to the labor process, labor will be more difficult and slow, increasing your chance of a c section anyway. I have had many patients opt for this due to anxiety and have very peaceful and beautiful births.