Off Pain Pills for surgery

I am just curious if anyone out there had to stay off their pain meds so many months before hand and also be tested to prove you were off them? If so please give me a yell. Thanks Sonya  Mantachie MS

Hi Sonya, I have never heard of being off pain meds before surgery.  I can only imagine me trying to get around without my lortab, lol.  My doc didn't mention anything about that to me.  I have been taking 1 and a half lortab every day for a while now just to be able to get up and walk.  My knees and back are really bad and I have had a knee replacement several years back, but because of my weight, did little good and now needs doing again.  I am holding out till I have my bypass in hopes that I won't need it when I get this weight off.  I can't think of a reason why he would require you to do without your meds if you needed them. I know you are afraid to ask too many questions , but I would have to know why he feels that way.  Keep me posted on your progress.  Good luck! Hugs, Terry Hust

I think we might have the same doctor, mine refused to do surgery on me for the same reason.  There is no medical reason for a person to be off pain meds before any kind of surgery.  Making a person in serious chronic pain stop the medication could send some people into so much pain that it could cause them to suicide just to escape the pain.  Any doctor should know that those of us in pain want the surgery so we can lose weight in hopes that doing so will ease or stop the pain so we can get off the meds.     I even asked him to tell me what  the medical reason was for his decision and he couldn't come up with one. He did say he thought that all people who take pains meds are addicts.  He is in serious need of education about pain management, and maybe needs to work a little on his control issues. I don't know how you have been able to stand the pain without your medication. I am so sorry you have been forced to suffer so much in order to get needed medical attention. Bless your heart. I hope your surgery goes well so this nightmare will be over soon and you will be able to live a pain free happy life.