I have had two c/s, one emergency, one "elective". I stopped analgesia 24hrs post surgery. I have a high pain tolerance!

I snapped my ACL (knee) ligament in February. That hurt as much, if not more, than the c/s recovery.

I've now had a knee reconstruction. That's right up there too.

As is having a large (4.5 by 4.5 by 5cm) ovarian cyst... swelling... and then removed.

I think it's different for different people.