I have had a second degree tear, that I think needed about 100 stitches as it took over an hour to repair, and I have had a c/s. I would choose the second degree tear any day.
I also had varicose veins of the vulva after my labour which ached and were probably worse than the perineum. They went away at some point, probably by about 2 months PP, I haven't been in pain for a long time.
It sounds to me like you are suffering in ways that you would after any birth as they are not necessarily birth related. The varicose veins will be there regardless, you will always be tired, and your abs will be stretched way too far.
Your vagina is the fastest healing part of your body (I love telling year 9s that fact during sex ed), your abdomen isn't. So if recovery from a tear is hard for you, recovery from surgery probably will be too. You still have plenty of time, you don't need to decide anything now.