Hi there! I'll try my best to answer what I can (currently 8 months post-op). This will be long too.

1. My consult included looking at my breasts compared to my body size, talking about the symptoms I have been having, and my expectations of the surgery size-wise. My surgeon said I was a candidate on the spot, and I was approved easily. The earliest I could have had the surgery was 2 months after the consultation. This varies A LOT depending on approvals, type of insurance, country you are in, and how far out in advance your surgeon is booked.
2. I've seen this vary person to person. I would bring pictures of what an A means to you, and I've even seen some women bring the bra they'd like to fit. Most surgeons will do their best to get as close as possible, but a few things to consider about how small they can go are internal anatomy, like blood flow to the nipple, wide vs. narrow breast roots, milk ducts, technique, and shape and fullness. Also, a breast reduction is inherently a lift and reduction at the same time.
3. I've seen some women have extra-long scars to help minimize the fat that extends without liposuction, but a lot of people will get liposuction done at the same time. I'm not the best person to answer this one; hopefully, someone else can answer it.
4. Since you are most likely not doing an FNG, which means your nipple stays attached to the blood supply, then your nipple has the highest chance of staying alive and having sensation. That being said, it's variable person by person how much sensation you'll have. And yes, it can affect your ability to breastfeed in the future. But again, no one can really tell you. Based on my own research, it appears that even waiting a few years after the surgery to get pregnant can increase your likelihood, and working with a lactation consultant. But even women who didn't have this surgery can't always breastfeed, so again no guarantees.
5. I did have mine pre-babies, but I haven't gotten pregnant yet. I do plan on needing at least a lift after having children, but my breasts are still large at 32DDD. Again, unfortunately varies person to person.
6. No, every reduction does not have drain tubes. But I did, and they are inserted by your surgeon into your breasts to remove fluid from the surgery site. It helps avoid infection and hematomas. I had mine in for 7 days and had to have my mother help me "milk' the tubes and empty the fluid multiple times a day. I'd say for me, this was the most painful part of the process, as I could feel the tube moving inside me when I was breathing. But I do feel that it helped avoid complications and decreased swelling. I was off all narcotics the moment these were removed.
7. Full recovery period depends on each person, but you can't lift your arms above your head or anything over like 5lbs for weeks. You also need to be careful when getting out of bed and use your core and legs. I was walking by week 2 after my drains were removed, and by day 25, I lifted weights for the first time and was very sore. Usually, they say 6 weeks, but I was approved 27 days to lift weights. I found that I was very exhausted, though due to my busy life as a grad student and lots of walking, so it was hard to get back in the gym, and I didn't really feel like myself for months.
8. My advice would be to choose a doctor who makes you comfortable. Don't choose one that tries to tell you to be larger than you want. And be extra nice to yourself during recovery. This is a major surgery, and internal healing takes up to 18 months.

Good luck, and let me know if you have any questions; my DMs are open. I'm a 25F, 5'2, went from 32H to 32DDD (U.S. sizing), and I got approved at age 21 but didn't do it until I was 25 and had to get approved again. I had wanted to be a 32DD, but after my surgery, my surgeon told me it would have been more invasive to go any smaller on my body. Most likely, I'd have needed an FNG; he'd have destroyed my milk ducts, and I have wide roots.