Pain relief and nausea control
Many first-time patients worry that pain or vomiting will be worse than the operation itself. Good perioperative care usually uses layers of treatment rather than relying on one drug.
Pain is often treated in layers
- Local anaesthetic infiltration into the wound can reduce pain early.
- Nerve blocks can provide stronger regional pain relief for selected procedures.
- Regular paracetamol/acetaminophen is a common foundation.
- NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or similar may be added if appropriate.
- Other add-ons can include ketamine, clonidine, tramadol or tapentadol in selected patients.
- Opioids such as oxycodone may be used when needed; buprenorphine can be given sublingually in some settings.
Important pain reality check
The anaesthetic does not always prevent pain later, because the surgery itself creates tissue injury. What matters is planning for pain rather than pretending it will not happen. Ask what is normal for your specific operation, what you should take regularly, and what the backup plan is if the pain escalates.
Nausea and vomiting
Postoperative nausea and vomiting are common enough that prevention matters, especially if you are prone to motion sickness, are female, do not smoke, have had previous nausea after anaesthesia, or will receive opioid pain relief.
- Preventive anti-sickness drugs may be given during surgery.
- Treatments can include ondansetron, metoclopramide, droperidol, cyclizine and others depending on availability and context.
- Hydration, minimising some triggers and using opioid-sparing pain plans may also help.
Questions worth asking
- Will I get local anaesthetic or a nerve block?
- What pain is expected on day 1 and day 2?
- What should I take regularly at home?
- What should I do if I cannot keep tablets down?
- Do I have high nausea risk and will I get prophylaxis?
| Topic | Often part of the plan | What to remember |
|---|---|---|
| Pain | Paracetamol/acetaminophen, NSAID if suitable, local anaesthetic, stronger rescue medication if needed | Take regular simple analgesics as directed rather than waiting until pain is severe. |
| Nausea | Ondansetron, metoclopramide, droperidol, cyclizine or others | Tell the team if you have a strong history of motion sickness or previous PONV. |
| Drowsiness | Rest, fluids, supervised recovery | Do not drive, sign important documents or make risky decisions for at least 24 hours. |