Pre-Surgical Pain Consultation

If you are facing surgery, you might also be experiencing some anxiety about how much pain you’ll be in afterward. You can lower this considerably by knowing ahead of time exactly what to expect before, during, and after your surgical procedure.

Since the goal of a pre-surgical pain consultation is to help relieve post-op pain, thinking about that goal may put you at ease. We will help you maintain a positive outlook from your initial consultation through your pre-surgical protocol, surgery itself, and recovery.

If you require physical therapy after surgery, we can help you with pain management during this phase of recovery.

Questions to Ask Before Surgery

Before your first appointment with us, it’s important to identify any questions you may have. Our doctors have guided hundreds of patients through the surgical process, so you can feel confident knowing that we have answers.

No matter how long it takes, we’re here to help you understand what is to come. With an idea of what to expect each step of the way, you will be less nervous about the entire process.

What is the operation that is being recommended?

We will clearly explain your surgical procedure, noting the steps involved, and then give you examples of pain management plans that could work for you. You should also ask:

If there are any non-surgical alternatives available
Why surgery is being recommended over other treatments

Why is the procedure necessary?

You will want to know whether or not surgery will bring better results than other treatments such as:

Acupuncture
Nerve blocks
Ketamine infusions
Epidural injections
Nerve blocks
Implantable devices
Medications
Physical therapy
Radiofrequency ablation
Other solutions

We will help you explore whether surgery is your only option. You deserve to know how surgery will improve your life and why it may be more beneficial than other, less invasive treatment options.

What are the benefits of surgery and how long will they last?

During your consultation, we will outline the specific benefits of your surgery and how long they typically last. We will also explain whether additional surgeries may be necessary in the future or if other post-surgical treatments will be required.

The fact is, some surgeries can provide life-long benefits and others require additional treatments. These follow-up treatments may be needed for a short time after surgery or periodically to maintain your pain relief.

What are the risks and possible complications of the surgery?

There will be some risk with surgery, so before consenting to any procedure, you must weigh the risks against the benefits. We will inform you of the possible complications and side effects that may occur. Your pain management plan will help you through this phase as well.

We will discuss post-operative pain management options that you can practice at home. This may mean a prescription painkiller, over-the-counter pain reliever, exercises, bed rest, stretching or strengthening routine, and/or physical therapy.

What if I refuse to have the surgery?

Before you make the decision not to have the recommended surgical procedure, talk to us about why you feel that decision is best. We can help you decide whether surgery is needed based on your condition and its subsequent rates of success with surgical intervention.

If you do refuse surgery, we can advise you about whether your pain is likely to worsen or if you may be able to resolve on its own. This will give you a better idea of how this decision may affect you in the future.

Where will the surgery be performed?

It used to be that most surgeries took place in hospitals. Today, many procedures are done on an outpatient basis in the doctor’s office or ambulatory surgical clinic. This has the advantage of lowering the cost to the patient, as there will be no charge for a hospital room.

There are certain procedures that still require hospitalization. Your general health may also be a factor in whether you will be an outpatient or an inpatient. Our pain management team will inform you about why your doctor may have chosen your surgical setting. Further, we will discuss how we can manage your post-op pain, whether you’re recovering in the hospital or at home.

What type of anesthesia will I be given?

You should be informed about whether you’ll be given a local or regional anesthetic, light sedation, or general anesthesia. We will help you understand the type of anesthesia that will be used and how it will help you get through surgery. We will coordinate with your anesthesia and surgical teams to plan for the best use of regional and/or spinal anesthesia to help manage post-operative pain.

What will recovery be like?

Our team will tell you what to expect in the first few days after surgery as well as in the weeks and months ahead. We will talk to you about any limitations to daily life you can expect and whether any special supplies and/or equipment will be needed once you are home. And, of course, we will tell you how long it will be before you are recovered and back to regular activities.