Managing Pain at Home

To get the best pain relief possible at home after surgery, remember these points:

• Use your pain medicine only as directed. If your pain is not relieved or if it gets worse, call your doctor. As pain lessens, try taking your medication less often.
• Remember that medicines need time to work.
• Try to time your pain medicine so that you take it before starting an activity such as dressing or sitting at the table for dinner.
• Eat lots of fruits and vegetables and drink plenty of liquids to reduce constipation, a side effect of some pain relievers.