The most disconcerting pain I've experienced so far after surgery has been a heavy tightness in my chest. This is the sensation of the remaining dregs of anesthesia I'm assuming, or something like it? Did you experience this?

I still have to wear a compression binder during the day to help with the swelling and to protect my nips from imminent catastrophe, but when I take it off at night and go for a breath, there's this tightness, right down the middle in particular.

I had that.  Doc said it was totally normal. When I took my binder off I had trouble catching my breath from the pressure.  Once I put it back on I was fine

It's super weird brah. But I take it this subsides eventually?

UGH I know, it really freaked me out.  But yeah it does.  Took me several weeks

ANOTHER QUESTION, BECAUSE I AM FULL OF CURIOUSITY:

My right tit is definitely bigger than my left. That is to say, the right side of my chest has swollen up quite a lot. This is normal, I realise. However, this swelling continues all the way to under my pit. When I touch the area, it waves. All across the right side of my chest. Like it's full of liquid. Could it be? Should I care? Is it stuff the drain failed to suck out? Will it dissipate of its own accord or should I notify someone? Your advice.

Accompanying video:

Definitely sounds like build up of fluid. Could be an issue clotting which has caused extra bleeding on the one side. I've seen that happen before with top surgery. You'll want to contact your doctor as you may need the fluid drained.

I had this happen to me it was not as swollen as yours is. The swelling did go away after about 14 days, just make sure you continue to wear your surgical binder. Definitely check in with your  doc about it.
Cheers Myles

Well today I heard a guy talking about his top surgery. He said it felt tight for a couple months after I think and then went back to a more normal state.

I would notify Medalie.  The fluid may need to be drained so it doesn't impede healing.  Definitely keep your surgical binder on; it will help prevent fluid build up.