Planning for surgery

Before surgery, you'll likely speak with your surgeon or other members of your healthcare team. You may discuss pain management, treatment options and your particular needs. You might talk about your:

• Pain expectations. Ask about pain that typically is associated with the surgery. Also ask about how long your recovery may last.
• Previous experiences with pain. Talk to your healthcare team about your experience with pain and methods of pain control. Mention what has and hasn't worked for you in the past.
• Chronic pain. If you take medicines to treat chronic pain, list your daily medicine usage and your typical pain levels. Discuss options with your healthcare team for treating both chronic pain and pain relating to your surgery.
• List of your medicines. Give your healthcare team a list of all your prescription medicines and medicines that you take without a prescription. Also include any supplements or herbs you've taken in the past month. Members of your healthcare team need to know about anything that might interact with the medicines you take for pain after surgery. You may need to change your medicines before and after surgery.
• Alcohol and drug use. Accurately describe your current use of alcohol, tobacco or illicit drugs. Your healthcare team needs to know if you are recovering or currently have alcohol use disorder or if you use illicit drugs. Also tell your healthcare team if you misuse prescription medicines. The information helps your healthcare team plan and monitor your pain management.
• History of medicine misuse. If you have misused medicines in the past, it is important to share this with your healthcare team. It's also important for your healthcare team to know if you take medicines used for addiction, such as naltrexone or suboxone.
• Concerns about side effects. Ask for written information about the pain medicines you may be prescribed after surgery and their side effects. Ask about what can be done to decrease side effects and when to get help for serious side effects.
• Pain management without medicines. Ask about ways to support your treatment plan without medicines, such as getting counseling to address anxiety or coping skills.
• Other concerns. Let your healthcare team know about any other concerns, including if you're worried about overdosing on pain medicines. They can help you understand strategies to safely manage your pain.