1. Slideshow: Surprising Reasons You're in Pain
2. Take the Pain Quiz!
3. Slideshow: Good and Bad Exercises for Low Back Pain

Pain is to be expected after surgery. Medications and proper wound care instructions that are explained to you by the surgeon can reduce the pain. These instructions may include the following:

• When to take pain medications
  
  
• When and if to change the bandages
  
  
• What to eat
  
  
• What activities you can do
  
  
• When it is safe to take a bath
  
  
• When to call the doctor  
  
  
• When to return for a checkup

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