How will my pain be managed after surgery?
-
Dr. Mehmet Oz answered:Speak openly to your anesthesiologist before your operation about your concerns regarding post-operative pain. Many options are available to control your discomfort after surgery.
If you're worried about waiting too long for the nurse to come with pain meds, know that you can administer drugs to yourself when you're in the hospital with a method called patient-controlled analgesia, or PCA. You control the amount of the drug that enters your body through an IV.
Importantly, don't leave the hospital or outpatient facility without a clear assurance that you'll be able to control any pain you might encounter—and if that means taking home a big supply of the right pain medications, don't leave without them. It will speed your recovery.
Ask your surgeon or doctor which variety of drugs will work best for you. And don't be afraid to take the painkillers if you need them; biting a stick went out with the Conestoga wagons.
Find out more about this book: YOU: The Smart Patient: An Insider's Handbook for Getting the Best Treatmen...
Speak openly to your anesthesiologist before your operation about your concerns regarding post-operative pain. Many options are available to control your discomfort after surgery. If you're worried about waiting too long for the nurse to come with... More -
American Society of Anesthesiologists answered:There are several ways to achieve pain control after surgery:
- Pain medications administered by mouth -- this will likely be used if your pain is not very severe.
- Intravenous pain medications -- there are many types of pain medications including narcotics and non-narcotics that can be administered into your intravenous catheter (IV) directly. Commonly, these medications can be administered through a pump called the PCA (patient controlled analgesia) that can be activated by you at the push of a button.
- If you have regional anesthesia -- a catheter (a small tube) may be left in place for the administration of local anesthetics and/or narcotics which will give you continuous pain relief after surgery.
There are several ways to achieve pain control after surgery: Pain medications administered by mouth -- this will likely be used if your pain is not very severe. Intravenous pain medications -- there are many types of pain medications... More -
Dr. John Van der Werff answered:After oral surgery pain is controlled with local anesthetics and medications. The medications typically include opioids and non-opioids like aspirin or ibuprofen.
Talk with your dentist about pain management before treatment.
After oral surgery pain is controlled with local anesthetics and medications. The medications typically include opioids and non-opioids like aspirin or ibuprofen. Talk with your dentist about pain management before treatment. More
