Managing Post-Surgical Pain: What Patients Should Know

Pain after surgery is expected, but suffering is not. Controlled pain means you can cough properly, get out of bed, and avoid chest infections and clots. It also reduces the chance of pain persisting for months afterwards.

Before your operation

• Tell your anaesthetist about previous surgeries where pain was poorly controlled
• List all medicines, including painkillers you take regularly
• Mention any history of long-term pain or high opioid use
• Ask which technique is planned: epidural, nerve block, spinal or intravenous analgesia

What techniques are used

Multimodal analgesia combines several methods so each can be given in a smaller dose: regional blocks or an epidural catheter, paracetamol and anti-inflammatories on a fixed schedule, and opioids for breakthrough pain. Epidural analgesia is particularly valuable after major abdominal and chest surgery.

Your part in recovery

Report pain scores honestly — nurses cannot treat what they do not know about. Take regular doses rather than waiting for pain to become severe. Use a pillow to support your wound when coughing. Start walking as soon as your team allows.

Managing side effects

Constipation is almost universal with opioids and should be treated from day one, not after it becomes a problem. Nausea, itching and drowsiness are usually manageable with a change of drug or dose — tell the team rather than stopping medication on your own.

When to seek help after discharge

Contact your surgical team if pain suddenly worsens, becomes different in character, or is accompanied by fever, redness or discharge from the wound. New severe pain is information, not weakness.