Anonymous
Post 08/15/2025 09:43     Subject: Surgeon only gives Tylenol after surgery
Anonymous wrote:I met with a surgeon today for a consult for significant and urgent surgery. There were a number of things I was unimpressed with but one was that they only give Tylenol. I feel like they would probably give more if a patient was in REALLY bad shape but her take was “some discomfort is normal after major surgery but it should be manageable with Tylenol.” That’s jacked up. We invented medication so that you don’t have to feel pain. Give a patient 3-5 days of pain meds. I’m meeting with other surgeons because this one seems heartless.
is the surgeon male and the surgery usually performed on females?
Anonymous
Post 08/15/2025 09:42     Subject: Surgeon only gives Tylenol after surgery
Anonymous wrote:Drug-seeking behavior.

You can self medicate with marijuana. You don't need opiates.
marijuana is a blood thinner, not a great idea after surgery
Anonymous
Post 08/15/2025 09:41     Subject: Surgeon only gives Tylenol after surgery
You Karens. Go have a knee replacement with some Tylenol for a few days.
Anonymous
Post 08/15/2025 09:39     Subject: Re:Surgeon only gives Tylenol after surgery
I would find a new surgeon, but I also wouldn't knock Tylenol and ibuprofen. The doses of Tylenol/ibuprofen that are prescribed are much higher than you would normally take and can be effective. I used them after postpartum tearing (down there!). I missed my dose one day and felt the actual pain that the meds were preventing - They really do work in many cases.
Anonymous
Post 08/15/2025 09:36     Subject: Surgeon only gives Tylenol after surgery
I was really glad to have an oxicontin after a recent surgery to repair a broken bone. But I only needed one, and if I didn’t have it, I would have just had a really bad night and then felt better.

Given the risks, I appreciate that post surgical pain is an opportunity to be conservative because it sucks, but you’re getting better.

Tylenol is a waste of time to me though. But advil works better than Vicodin. If I couldn’t have ibprofen, I’d want a narcotic.
Anonymous
Post 08/15/2025 09:34     Subject: Surgeon only gives Tylenol after surgery
Anonymous wrote:I met with a surgeon today for a consult for significant and urgent surgery. There were a number of things I was unimpressed with but one was that they only give Tylenol. I feel like they would probably give more if a patient was in REALLY bad shape but her take was “some discomfort is normal after major surgery but it should be manageable with Tylenol.” That’s jacked up. We invented medication so that you don’t have to feel pain. Give a patient 3-5 days of pain meds. I’m meeting with other surgeons because this one seems heartless.

Your surgeon is 100% correct and your expectation of absolutely no pain after surgery is not. This to me would indicate a surgeon with an excellent conscience who is willing to give the correct answers even though they are unpopular.
Anonymous
Post 08/15/2025 09:31     Subject: Surgeon only gives Tylenol after surgery
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Without saying what surgery it is, it’s really hard to tell whether this is reasonable or not.


+1. Is this laparoscopic?
Also it’s not clear if this doctor said “never” or “generally Tylenol is enough.” I had 2 c sections and didn’t really want opioids — I just wanted double strength Motrin. Another question is whether they give you a pain block for the surgery itself — if so, that may get you through the worst of it.


I think the bolder is the issue. It is highly unlikely that a surgeon NEVER gives out anything stronger than Tylenol. It is more likely that she starts conservatively and moves on to more dangerous pain meds only when necessary and only with medical control. I see that as a healthy change. If you’re going to prescribe highly addictive medications that can be life changing and not in a good way, there should be close medical monitoring.

This being said, OP needs a different doctor because OP clearly does not trust this one.
Anonymous
Post 08/15/2025 09:26     Subject: Surgeon only gives Tylenol after surgery
Anonymous wrote:Without saying what surgery it is, it’s really hard to tell whether this is reasonable or not.


+1. Is this laparoscopic?
Also it’s not clear if this doctor said “never” or “generally Tylenol is enough.” I had 2 c sections and didn’t really want opioids — I just wanted double strength Motrin. Another question is whether they give you a pain block for the surgery itself — if so, that may get you through the worst of it.
Anonymous
Post 08/15/2025 09:21     Subject: Re:Surgeon only gives Tylenol after surgery
Pain can really vary, for a variety of reasons.

OP, try a different surgeon, if only because you need to feel comfortable with their approach.

I had a major surgery recently and felt fine afterward just alternating Advil and Tylenol, but the surgeon was comfortable prescribing pain meds (and did so automatically for the amount that can be prescribed at a time by law).
Anonymous
Post 08/15/2025 09:17     Subject: Surgeon only gives Tylenol after surgery
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I think you're over reacting. Most surgeries people do just fine with Tylenol, and dont need the heavy duty Oxycontin or Vicoden that they used to prescribe like candy and people got addicted. Sounds to me like this surgeon has learned from the past and is being appropriate going foreword.


Wouldn't it depend on the surgery? A blanket rule is foolish since it has no nuance.


Actually, no, it doesn’t depend on the surgery, and that’s a gift. The surgeon is telling the patient that there are absolutely no circumstances in which he would prescribe serious pain meds. Find a new surgeon.

Huh what? That’s not what the OP said.

I’m sure it’s an unpopular opinion but i actually think the surgeon is right. My kids were sent home with oxycondone after having their wisdom teeth removed which they did not need. I prefer the more conservative approach to prescribing them only when need is shown. Addiction is a HUGE issue right now.


Yeah we have 2 bottles of Tramadol that weren’t touched after 2 wisdom teeth surgeries.

OP find a new surgeon. This one does not work for you.
Anonymous
Post 08/15/2025 08:57     Subject: Surgeon only gives Tylenol after surgery
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Reminds me of a professor I had in undergrad who on day 1 said "I don't give out As"

I hate fixed people like that. OP you are smart to shop around. I've had one serious surgery and one bone break. I got oxy for both, reasonable amount, took what I needed and didn't get hooked. But I needed it. A doctor who doesn't understand how these pain medicines work (beyond tylenol) are not worth their medical degree


+1 and this isn't how people get addicted, from a day or two of using those meds. I used them after my C section. It's long term pain and other issues.

I would be annoyed too OP. This does not seem like a patient centered approach.


There is actually plenty of research supporting the use of non-opioid pain relief for post surgical pain (Tylenol and ibuprofen). It is very patient centered to choose an effective medication with fewer risks.
Anonymous
Post 08/15/2025 08:42     Subject: Surgeon only gives Tylenol after surgery
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Reminds me of a professor I had in undergrad who on day 1 said "I don't give out As"

I hate fixed people like that. OP you are smart to shop around. I've had one serious surgery and one bone break. I got oxy for both, reasonable amount, took what I needed and didn't get hooked. But I needed it. A doctor who doesn't understand how these pain medicines work (beyond tylenol) are not worth their medical degree


+1 and this isn't how people get addicted, from a day or two of using those meds. I used them after my C section. It's long term pain and other issues.

I would be annoyed too OP. This does not seem like a patient centered approach.


Yes it is.
Anonymous
Post 08/15/2025 08:39     Subject: Surgeon only gives Tylenol after surgery
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I think you're over reacting. Most surgeries people do just fine with Tylenol, and dont need the heavy duty Oxycontin or Vicoden that they used to prescribe like candy and people got addicted. Sounds to me like this surgeon has learned from the past and is being appropriate going foreword.


Wouldn't it depend on the surgery? A blanket rule is foolish since it has no nuance.


Actually, no, it doesn’t depend on the surgery, and that’s a gift. The surgeon is telling the patient that there are absolutely no circumstances in which he would prescribe serious pain meds. Find a new surgeon.

Huh what? That’s not what the OP said.

I’m sure it’s an unpopular opinion but i actually think the surgeon is right. My kids were sent home with oxycondone after having their wisdom teeth removed which they did not need. I prefer the more conservative approach to prescribing them only when need is shown. Addiction is a HUGE issue right now.


Did you keep the oxycodone in case you need it later?

Of course I did!
Should I have oxy laying around to self-prescribe in the future? NO!
Anonymous
Post 08/15/2025 08:39     Subject: Surgeon only gives Tylenol after surgery
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Reminds me of a professor I had in undergrad who on day 1 said "I don't give out As"

I hate fixed people like that. OP you are smart to shop around. I've had one serious surgery and one bone break. I got oxy for both, reasonable amount, took what I needed and didn't get hooked. But I needed it. A doctor who doesn't understand how these pain medicines work (beyond tylenol) are not worth their medical degree


+1 and this isn't how people get addicted, from a day or two of using those meds. I used them after my C section. It's long term pain and other issues.

I would be annoyed too OP. This does not seem like a patient centered approach.

How can you opine that when you don’t even know what surgery it is?
Anonymous
Post 08/15/2025 08:37     Subject: Surgeon only gives Tylenol after surgery
Anonymous wrote:Reminds me of a professor I had in undergrad who on day 1 said "I don't give out As"

I hate fixed people like that. OP you are smart to shop around. I've had one serious surgery and one bone break. I got oxy for both, reasonable amount, took what I needed and didn't get hooked. But I needed it. A doctor who doesn't understand how these pain medicines work (beyond tylenol) are not worth their medical degree


+1 and this isn't how people get addicted, from a day or two of using those meds. I used them after my C section. It's long term pain and other issues.

I would be annoyed too OP. This does not seem like a patient centered approach.