Surgery results in some post-operative pain. Pain management is an important component of your post-operative care and often begins in the operating room with the administration of pain medications by the anesthesiologist or your surgeon.
In recovery and at home, pain medication is used to reduce pain to a tolerable level, usually to 5 and under on a scale of 0 – 10.
Remember that pain medication takes 20 – 40 minutes before becoming effective. Pain medication should not be taken on an empty stomach.