Surgical Pain Control

Pain Management

Planning Pain Control Before, During, and After Surgery in Katy and Sugar Land

Worry about pain is one of the most common concerns people have before an operation. Some pain after surgery is normal, but it should be controlled well enough for you to walk, breathe deeply, eat, and sleep. Good pain control is planned before surgery day and combines several methods, so you need less opioid (narcotic) medicine and have fewer side effects.

At Surgical Associates of Southern Texas, Dr. Murtaza Shakir, board certified in General Surgery and Complex General Surgical Oncology, plans pain control as part of every operation, from hernia repair and gallbladder surgery to cancer surgery. He sees patients at offices in Katy and Sugar Land. This page explains how pain is managed around surgery, what is normal, and how to use pain medicine safely at home.

Meet the Surgeon

Dr. Murtaza Shakir, MD, general surgeon and surgical oncologist in Katy and Sugar Land, TX

Dual board certified in General Surgery and Complex General Surgical Oncology
Named a Houstonia Top Doctor in General Surgery, 2026 (see listing)
Highly reviewed: rated 4.9 stars on Google
Specialized in hernia repair, gallbladder surgery, and cancer surgery using open, laparoscopic, and robotic approaches, with pain control planned around each operation

Patient Reviews

What Patients Say About Dr. Shakir

Rated 4.9 stars on Google. Real experiences from patients treated in Katy and Sugar Land.

Jump to a section

At a glance
What is surgical pain control?
What pain is normal?
When pain is a warning sign
How pain is assessed
Do you always need opioids?
Meet your surgeon
How your plan is chosen
Pain control options
Pain control on surgery day
Preparing before surgery
Managing pain at home
Using pain medicine safely
Patient reviews
Why choose us
Insurance
Locations
FAQs
Schedule a consultation

At a Glance

Pain Control After Surgery at a Glance

What it is: A planned approach to controlling pain from an operation, starting before surgery and continuing through recovery at home.
Who it is for: Patients having surgery with Dr. Shakir, such as hernia repair, gallbladder removal, appendectomy, reflux surgery, or cancer surgery.
Main approach: Multimodal pain control: combining non-opioid medicines, numbing medicine when appropriate, ice, walking, and minimally invasive techniques, so fewer opioids are needed.
The goal: Pain that is controlled well enough for you to walk, cough, breathe deeply, and sleep. Some discomfort is expected and improves day by day.
Opioid safety: If an opioid is prescribed, take it only as directed, for the shortest time needed. Never mix it with alcohol or sedatives. Lock it up and dispose of leftovers.
Get emergency care for: Slow or shallow breathing, extreme sleepiness or trouble waking, chest pain, sudden shortness of breath, or severe, worsening belly pain. Call 911.
Where: Offices in Katy and Sugar Land, TX. Call 713-955-9191.

Pain Control Basics

What Is Pain Management After Surgery?

Pain management after surgery is the planned use of medicines and other measures to keep surgical pain under control with as few side effects as possible. The American College of Surgeons describes safe pain control as using medicine and other therapies to manage pain while limiting side effects, and using alternatives to opioids for mild and moderate pain.

At our practice, pain control is part of surgical care, not a separate service. Dr. Shakir uses a multimodal approach, which means combining several methods that work in different ways. This helps limit or avoid opioid (narcotic) medicines and their side effects.

Why Good Pain Control Matters

Pain that is well controlled helps you recover. When you are comfortable, you can:

Get up and walk soon after surgery, which helps prevent blood clots
Breathe deeply and cough, which helps prevent pneumonia
Eat, drink, and sleep better
Return to daily activities sooner

What This Page Covers

This page covers pain related to surgery: before, during, and after an operation performed by Dr. Shakir. Our practice is a surgical practice, not a chronic pain clinic. If you have long-standing pain that is not related to an operation, such as chronic back or joint pain, your primary care doctor can refer you to a pain medicine specialist.

Types of Pain

What Kind of Pain Is Normal After Surgery?

Some pain after surgery is normal, and it usually improves a little each day. How much you feel depends on the operation, the size and location of the incisions, and your own response to pain. Minimally invasive surgery, done through small incisions, usually causes less pain than open surgery. Common types of discomfort include:

Incision Pain

Soreness, tenderness, or a pulling feeling at the incisions. It is often worse when you move, cough, or get out of bed in the first few days.

Muscle and Deeper Pain

Aching in the muscles of the abdominal wall or around the repair, such as after hernia surgery. It can last longer than incision pain, especially with activity.

Shoulder Pain After Laparoscopy

After laparoscopic or robotic abdominal surgery, gas used to inflate the belly can irritate the diaphragm and cause pain in one or both shoulders. It usually fades within a few days.

Gas, Bloating and Constipation

Anesthesia, less activity, and opioid medicines can slow the bowels. Walking, fluids, and a stool softener when advised can help.

Sore Throat

A breathing tube used during general anesthesia can leave your throat sore or scratchy for a day or two.

Swelling and Bruising

Some swelling and bruising near the incisions or surgical area is common and usually improves over one to two weeks.

Pain that is getting worse instead of better, or pain that your medicine does not control, is not expected. Call the office, as described below.

Warning Signs

When Is Pain After Surgery a Warning Sign?

Pain after surgery is a warning sign when it gets worse instead of better, is not controlled by your medicine as prescribed, or comes with fever, vomiting, or changes in the incision. Call the office at 713-955-9191 if you have:

Pain that your medicine, taken as directed, does not control
Pain that is increasing after the first few days
Fever, or increasing redness, warmth, swelling, or drainage from an incision
Nausea or vomiting that keeps you from taking fluids or medicine
No bowel movement for several days, or a hard, swollen belly
Side effects from your medicine, such as a rash, itching, or confusion

Do not take more pain medicine than prescribed to try to control worsening pain. Call instead.

When to Get Emergency Care

Get emergency help for slow or shallow breathing, extreme sleepiness, blue or gray lips, chest pain, a painful swollen leg, severe belly pain, nonstop vomiting or heavy bleeding. Trouble breathing and extreme sleepiness can signal an opioid overdose, so give naloxone if available. For a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

Assessing Pain

How Is Your Pain Assessed?

Your pain is assessed by asking you about it, because only you know how much it hurts. Before surgery, Dr. Shakir and the surgical team ask about your health and medicines to plan pain control that is safe for you. After surgery, your care team asks how strong your pain is and how well you can move, breathe, and sleep.

The 0 to 10 Pain Scale

Many care teams ask you to rate your pain from 0 (no pain) to 10 (the worst pain you can imagine). The number helps your team see whether pain is improving and whether your medicine is working. Describing your pain also helps, for example sharp, aching, burning, or cramping, and whether it is constant or comes with movement.

A Realistic Pain Goal

The goal is usually not zero pain. The goal is pain that is low enough for you to get out of bed, walk, take deep breaths, cough, and rest. Trying to remove all pain with more medicine can increase side effects without helping recovery.

What Your Team Needs to Know Before Surgery

All prescription and over-the-counter medicines and supplements
Any pain medicine you already take regularly, including opioids
Past problems with pain medicine, such as nausea, itching, or confusion
Allergies to any medicines
Kidney or liver disease, stomach ulcers or bleeding, or heart disease
Blood thinners or bleeding problems
Sleep apnea or lung disease
Current or past alcohol or substance use, including a history of addiction
Pregnancy or breastfeeding

This information is confidential and helps your team choose safe medicines. A history of opioid use or addiction does not mean your pain will go untreated. It means your plan can be adjusted to keep you safe.

Opioids or Not

Do You Always Need Opioids After Surgery?

No. Opioids are not always needed after surgery. Non-opioid medicines, numbing medicine, ice, and walking can control mild to moderate pain for many people, especially after smaller or minimally invasive operations. When an opioid is prescribed, it is usually for severe pain in the first few days, at the lowest dose that helps, for the shortest time.

Non-opioid medicines first: acetaminophen and anti-inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen, when they are safe for you, often form the base of the plan.
Opioids for severe pain: if pain is not controlled by other measures, a short course of an opioid may be added.
Stepping down: as pain improves, the opioid is usually the first medicine to stop.

Whether you need an opioid depends on the operation, your health, and how you feel after surgery. Dr. Shakir discusses this with you before your operation.

Questions to Ask Before Surgery

How much pain should I expect after this operation, and for how long?
Which medicines should I take, and in what order?
Will I need an opioid? If so, for how many days?
Can I take acetaminophen or ibuprofen with my other medicines and health conditions?
Will numbing medicine or a nerve block be used?
What should I do if my pain is not controlled at home?

Your Surgeon

Meet Your Surgeon

Murtaza Shakir, MD

Board-Certified General Surgeon & Surgical Oncologist

Pain control before and after surgery at Surgical Associates of Southern Texas is planned by Dr. Murtaza Shakir, who is board certified in General Surgery and Complex General Surgical Oncology.

Board certification

American Board of Surgery: General Surgery and Complex General Surgical Oncology

Medical degree

Aga Khan University

Residency

General Surgery, Riverside Methodist Hospital, Columbus, Ohio

Fellowship

Two-year Surgical Oncology fellowship, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

Surgical practice includes

Hernia repair
Robotic surgery
Laparoscopic surgery
Complex abdominal surgery
Gallbladder surgery
Surgical oncology

Named a Houstonia Top Doctor in General Surgery (2026). Learn more about our general surgery services.

Your Pain Plan

How Your Pain Control Plan Is Chosen

Your pain control plan is based on the operation you are having, your health, and your past experience with pain medicine. Dr. Shakir considers these factors with you, and the anesthesia team reviews them before surgery.

The Operation

Larger operations and open surgery usually cause more pain than smaller, minimally invasive procedures, and may need more support in the first days.

The Surgical Approach

Laparoscopic and robotic surgery use small incisions and usually cause less pain than open surgery. The approach is chosen for your condition first.

Your Overall Health

Kidney and liver function, stomach ulcers, heart disease, sleep apnea, and age affect which medicines are safe for you.

Medicines You Already Take

Blood thinners, sedatives, sleep aids, and regular pain medicine can interact with the medicines used after surgery.

Past Experience

Side effects you have had before, such as nausea or itching, and any history of opioid use help shape a safer plan.

Your Preferences

Some patients want to avoid opioids entirely if possible. Tell Dr. Shakir your goals and concerns so they can be part of the plan.

Treatment Options

Pain Control Options Compared

Multimodal pain control combines methods that work in different ways, so each one can be used in a smaller amount. Not every option is used for every patient or every operation. The combination is chosen for your surgery and your health.

Treating Pain Early

Pain is often easier to control when it is treated early and steadily, before it becomes severe. Planned, regular doses of non-opioid medicines in the first days can lower the amount of opioid medicine needed. Follow the schedule Dr. Shakir gives you, and ask if anything is unclear.

Non-Opioid Pain Relievers

Acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, are often the base of pain control after surgery. They may be scheduled at regular times in the first days. NSAIDs are not safe for everyone, including some people with kidney disease, stomach ulcers, bleeding risk, or heart disease. Acetaminophen is found in many combination products, so it is easy to take too much by accident.

Local and Regional Anesthesia

Local anesthetic (numbing medicine) can be injected around the incisions during surgery to reduce pain as you wake up. For some operations, an anesthesia provider may also numb a larger area with a nerve block or an epidural. Whether these are used depends on the operation, the facility, and the anesthesia team.

Ice and Other Non-Drug Measures

Ice can reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation with very little risk. Holding a pillow against your belly when you cough, changing position, walking, and relaxation or breathing exercises can also help.

Opioid Pain Medicine

Opioids, sometimes called narcotics, are the strongest pain relievers. They are used for moderate to severe pain that other measures do not control, at the lowest effective dose for the shortest time. They can cause constipation, nausea, drowsiness, dizziness, and slowed breathing, and they carry a risk of dependence and addiction.

Stool Softeners and Bowel Care

Opioids slow the bowels. When an opioid is used, a stool softener or other bowel medicine is often recommended, along with fluids, walking, and fiber as you start eating normally again.

Minimally Invasive Surgery and ERAS

Smaller incisions usually mean less pain. Dr. Shakir uses laparoscopic and robotic techniques when they are appropriate and safe. Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) planning, which includes pain control that limits opioids, also supports a smoother recovery.

Surgery Day

Pain Control on the Day of Surgery

Pain control on surgery day is shared between Dr. Shakir and the anesthesia team. It starts before your operation and continues in the recovery area.

Before the Operation

An anesthesia provider reviews your health, medicines, and past reactions to anesthesia. Some patients are given non-opioid pain medicine before surgery as part of the plan.

During the Operation

Most abdominal operations use general anesthesia. Numbing medicine may be placed around the incisions, and other pain medicines may be given before you wake up.

In the Recovery Area

Nurses check your pain, breathing, and alertness and treat pain and nausea. Many patients go home the same day once they are awake, comfortable, and able to drink.

Before you leave, you receive instructions for which medicines to take at home and when. Have an adult drive you home. Do not drive, drink alcohol, or make important decisions for at least 24 hours after anesthesia, or longer if your team advises.

Preparing Ahead

How to Prepare for Pain Control Before Surgery

Preparing before surgery makes pain easier to manage once you are home. Your plan is discussed at your consultation and pre-operative visit.

Steps That Help Recovery

Stopping smoking, controlling blood sugar, staying active, and eating well before surgery support healing. See our pre-operative care guidance for more on getting ready.

Things to Do Before Surgery

Ask how much pain to expect and which medicines to take
Fill prescriptions before surgery day when possible
Ask whether to buy acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or a stool softener, and which products are safe for you
Have ice packs or a bag of frozen peas ready
Keep a small pillow to hold against your belly when you cough
Arrange a ride home and help for the first days
Plan a locked place to store any opioid medicine

Medicines to Discuss

Blood thinners, aspirin, and anti-inflammatory medicines
Any pain medicine you take regularly
Sleep aids, anxiety medicines, and muscle relaxants
Herbal products and supplements

Do not stop prescription medication unless instructed by the appropriate healthcare professional.

Recovery at Home

Managing Pain at Home After Surgery

At home, follow the written pain plan you were given and expect your pain to ease a little each day. Most people need less medicine as the days pass. Practical steps include:

Take medicines as directed: follow the schedule and doses on your instructions and labels. Do not take extra doses.
Use non-opioid medicines first if that is your plan, and add a prescribed opioid only for pain they do not control.
Step down: as pain improves, stop the opioid first, then reduce other medicines as directed.
Use ice: place an ice pack wrapped in a cloth over the area for short periods, never directly on the skin.
Walk often: short, frequent walks ease stiffness and gas and help prevent blood clots.
Support your incision: hold a pillow against your belly when you cough, sneeze, or get up.
Prevent constipation: drink fluids, add fiber as you eat normally, and take a stool softener if advised, especially while taking an opioid.
Rest and sleep: good sleep helps you cope with pain.
Do not drive while taking opioid pain medicine.

Keeping a simple record of your medicines and pain scores can help you and the office see how you are doing. For more detail, see our post-operative care instructions.

How Long Pain Lasts

How long pain lasts depends on the operation. After many minimally invasive procedures, pain improves steadily over the first several days, and many people need only non-opioid medicine within a few days. Open and larger operations usually take longer. Dr. Shakir explains what to expect for your procedure. Recovery guides for specific operations include hernia surgery recovery and gallbladder removal recovery.

Your Follow-Up Visit

At your follow-up visit, Dr. Shakir checks your healing and asks about your pain and medicines. Tell him if pain is limiting your activity or if you are still taking an opioid. If you have questions before that visit, call 713-955-9191.

Medicine Safety

Using Opioid Pain Medicine Safely

Opioids can relieve severe pain after surgery, but they carry real risks, including slowed breathing, overdose, dependence, and addiction. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends these steps to lower the risk:

Take opioids only as prescribed. Never take more, or more often, than directed.
Do not drink alcohol while taking opioids.
Do not combine opioids with other medicines that cause drowsiness, such as benzodiazepines, muscle relaxants, sleep aids, or other opioids, unless your doctor has reviewed them together.
Never share or sell your opioid medicine.
Tell your care team about side effects, such as constipation, nausea, drowsiness, dizziness, or confusion.
Ask whether you should have naloxone at home. Naloxone is a medicine that can reverse an opioid overdose.

Safe Storage

Keep opioid medicine locked up, in its original container, and out of reach and sight of children, teens, family members, visitors, and pets. Count your pills so you will notice if any are missing.

Safe Disposal of Leftover Medicine

Do not keep leftover opioids “just in case.” The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends these options, in this order:

Drug take-back: a take-back kiosk at a pharmacy or other drop-off site, a take-back event, or a prepaid mail-back envelope.
Flushing: only if the medicine is on the FDA flush list and a take-back option is not readily available.
Household trash: if neither option is available and the medicine is not on the flush list, mix it with something unappealing, such as used coffee grounds, dirt, or cat litter, seal it in a bag or container, and throw it away. Scratch out personal information on the label.

Your pharmacist can tell you how to dispose of a specific medicine.

Risks of Non-Opioid Medicines

Non-opioid medicines are safer for many people but are not risk-free. Too much acetaminophen can damage the liver, so check labels for acetaminophen in combination and cold products. NSAIDs such as ibuprofen can cause stomach upset, ulcers, bleeding, and kidney problems in some people. Take them only as directed and ask before combining them with other medicines.

Why Choose Us

Why Choose Surgical Associates of Southern Texas for Your Surgery?

Dr. Murtaza Shakir is board certified in General Surgery and Complex General Surgical Oncology and plans pain control before surgery to limit opioids and support your recovery.

Non-opioid medicines, numbing medicine and ice to limit opioids
Open, laparoscopic and robotic surgery with smaller incisions
Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) planning
Clear explanation of what pain to expect and how it’s treated
Consultations and follow-up in Katy and Sugar Land

Insurance Coverage

Insurance for Surgical Care

Surgical Associates of Southern Texas accepts many major insurance plans for surgical consultations, procedures, and follow-up visits, including participating Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and Blue Cross Blue Shield plans. Our office can confirm whether your specific plan participates and whether a referral or prior authorization is needed before your visit.

Coverage, network participation, authorization requirements, and your share of the cost vary by plan. You can also review the insurance accepted for surgical care at our practice.

Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and Blue Cross Blue Shield are only some of the plans we accept. Plan-specific details are on our Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and Blue Cross Blue Shield pages. If your plan is not listed, contact our office and our team will help verify it.

Insurance participation and benefits vary by individual plan. Verification does not guarantee coverage, authorization or payment. Please contact our office and your insurer to verify benefits before treatment.

Our Locations

Two Convenient Fort Bend County Offices

Learn more about our Katy and Sugar Land practices, or view all locations.

Katy Office

410 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 4D
Katy, TX 77494

Serves: Katy, Fulshear, Richmond, Cinco Ranch and West Houston

Get directions

Sugar Land Office

17510 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 320
Sugar Land, TX 77479

Serves: Sugar Land, Richmond, Stafford, Missouri City, Fort Bend County and Southwest Houston

View on Google Maps

Approximate Drive Times

From West Houston (Energy Corridor): about 15 minutes to Katy, or 25 to 30 minutes to Sugar Land.

From North Houston: about 40 to 50 minutes to either office, depending on traffic.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Pain After Surgery

How do you manage pain after surgery?

Dr. Shakir uses a multimodal approach that combines non-opioid medicines, numbing medicine when appropriate, ice, walking, and minimally invasive techniques. This limits or avoids opioids and their side effects. An opioid may be added for a short time if severe pain is not otherwise controlled.

Is your practice a chronic pain clinic?

No. Surgical Associates of Southern Texas is a surgical practice, and our pain management focuses on pain related to surgery. For long-standing pain not related to an operation, ask your primary care doctor about a referral to a pain medicine specialist.

How much pain is normal after surgery?

Some soreness at the incisions and in nearby muscles is normal and should improve a little each day. Pain that gets worse, or that your medicine does not control, is not expected and should be reported to the office.

Why do my shoulders hurt after laparoscopic surgery?

Gas used to inflate the abdomen during laparoscopic or robotic surgery can irritate the diaphragm and cause pain felt in the shoulders. It usually fades within a few days. Walking can help.

Will I need opioids after surgery?

Not always. Many people can control pain after smaller or minimally invasive operations with non-opioid medicines, ice, and walking. If an opioid is needed, it is usually for a few days, at the lowest dose that helps.

Can I take acetaminophen and ibuprofen after surgery?

Often, yes, but only if they are safe for you and in the way your instructions describe. Ibuprofen is not safe for some people with kidney disease, stomach ulcers, or bleeding risk, and acetaminophen is found in many combination products, so check labels to avoid taking too much.

Will I get a nerve block or epidural?

It depends on the operation. Numbing medicine is often placed around the incisions, and for some operations an anesthesia provider may offer a nerve block or epidural. Ask Dr. Shakir and the anesthesia team what is planned for your surgery.

How long does pain last after surgery?

It depends on the operation. After many minimally invasive procedures, pain improves steadily over several days. Open and larger operations take longer. Dr. Shakir explains what to expect for your procedure.

Can I drive while taking pain medicine?

Do not drive while taking opioid pain medicine, because it can slow your reactions and make you drowsy. Ask Dr. Shakir when it is safe to drive after your specific operation.

What if my pain is not controlled at home?

Call the office at 713-955-9191. Do not take more medicine than prescribed. For trouble breathing, extreme sleepiness, chest pain, or severe worsening belly pain, call 911.

Sources and references

How to Safely Manage Pain After Surgery, American College of Surgeons (ACS)
Risks and How to Reduce Them (Prescription Opioids), U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Where and How to Dispose of Unused Medicines, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Pain Relievers, MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
Anesthesia, MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine

Reviewed by the Review Team at Surgical Associates of Southern Texas.

Medical Disclaimer: This page provides general information and is not a substitute for medical advice. For trouble breathing, extreme sleepiness, chest pain, severe or worsening pain after surgery, or other emergencies, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Last updated October 16, 2026.

Schedule a Consultation to Plan Your Surgery

Preparing for hernia repair, gallbladder surgery or another operation? Schedule a consultation with Dr. Murtaza Shakir to learn how much pain to expect, which medicines are safe for you and whether an opioid may be needed. Already had surgery? Call 713-955-9191. Offices in Katy and Sugar Land serve Richmond, Fulshear and Greater Houston.

713-955-9191