Good pain relief is important. It helps you feel comfortable, lets you breathe deeply, move around sooner, and reduces the chance of complications such as chest infections or blood clots.

Your anaesthetist will talk with you before surgery about the options, and we’ll make a plan together. Everyone’s pain and recovery is different, so your medicines may be adjusted after surgery.

• Tablets or liquids – paracetamol and anti-inflammatories (like ibuprofen) are used regularly if suitable.

• Stronger medicines (opioids) – such as morphine or oxycodone, may be given for more painful surgery. They work well but can cause nausea, constipation, drowsiness, or itching, so we try to use the lowest effective dose.

• Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) – a button you can press that delivers small, safe doses of strong pain relief into your drip.

• Local anaesthetic injections or catheters – numbing medicine placed near the wound or nerves to reduce pain.

• Epidural – sometimes used for major lower body or abdominal surgery, delivering continuous numbing medicine via a fine tube in your back.

You will usually leave hospital with simple medicines such as paracetamol and ibuprofen or celecoxib. Sometimes you may be given a short course of stronger tablets (opioids).

• Take medicines regularly to stay ahead of the pain.

• Reduce and stop opioids as soon as possible, as long-term use can be harmful.

• Stock up on paracetamol/ibuprofen or celecoxib before surgery so you have them ready.

If your pain is getting worse, not improving, or you have any concerns after going home, contact your GP, surgeon, or the hospital for advice.