It is normal to feel some discomfort after surgery. This is your body's way of saying, "This area is healing, take care."
Trying to take away all discomfort with strong medicines is not possible without causing serious side effects. These medicines (like opioids) can help, but if used too much they can also cause nausea, constipation, trouble breathing, or confusion.
This is why your health care team focuses on function - using different types of medications and other strategies to make sure you can do the things you need to do to recover, such as:
These activities are the most important part of recovery and are the goal of pain management.
Some people are at higher risk of having pain or discomfort that is harder to manage after surgery. This can happen if you already live with chronic pain, if you take opioid medicines regularly, or if you have had challenges with pain control in the past. Your health care team may give you extra information and ask you questions so they can make a plan that is right for you.
Tell your health care team about your health history, medicines you take, and any worries you have about managing discomfort. Together, you will make a safe plan.
The options below require a referral from your health care provider.
An anesthesiologist is a doctor that helps with comfort and safety during and after surgery. Before surgery, you might meet with one to:
If you need more support to stay functional and comfortable while healing from surgery, your health care team is here to help. Together you can plan ahead and find the right tools.
Visit Pain BC or Pain Canada to access free resources for pain management.