Pain Control After Surgery: What Are the Best Pain Medications
—In MIAMI—

No one wants to wake up in pain. You’ve already done the hard part. The decision, the nerves, the day of surgery. Now it’s about healing, comfort, and getting back to yourself.

At Zuri Plastic Surgery, pain control after surgery is built into the entire experience. Dr. Alexander Zuriarrain, a quadruple board-certified plastic surgeon, has spent years refining how his patients recover — not just how they look when it’s over, but how they feel in the days that follow.

That’s where the Zuri "Pain Trifecta" comes in: Exparel, Ofirmev, and Gabapentin. Three names you might not know now, but you’ll be grateful for after surgery. Together, they make a big difference. Less discomfort, fewer narcotics, and a faster, clearer recovery. This pain control after surgery blog covers all of the reasons why taking care of your body post-surgery is so important for proper pain management.

Check out more on Dr. Zuri’s Instagram here: drzplasticsurgery

Pain Happens. Suffering Doesn’t Have To.

Every surgical procedure involves some level of pain. It’s normal. The body reacts to what just happened: incisions, tissue adjustment, the whole process of healing. That ache is your nervous system talking.

But here’s the key: pain can be controlled before it takes over. Smart, proactive postoperative pain management isn’t just “numbing it out.” It’s about interrupting the pain signals before they even reach the brain.

Dr. Z’s approach starts before you ever wake up. His team blocks pain at the surgical site, supports healing from the inside, and minimizes the need for opioid medications that can slow recovery or cloud your mind.

All of this is curated to help you feel comfortable enough to rest, move, and heal without fighting your body every step of the way.

The Pain Trifecta: Three Layers of Comfort

Here's the simple breakdown, the way Dr. Z explains it to his patients in the consult room.

Exparel

Think of this as your 72-hour shield. It’s a long-acting local anesthetic injected around the surgical area during your procedure. It slowly releases medication over several days, keeping the nerves calm and the pain low. No constant pill popping. No rollercoaster of feeling fine one minute and miserable the next.

Ofirmev

This one’s delivered through an IV. It’s just acetaminophen, but smarter. Designed for hospital use and proven to cut down on inflammation and moderate pain without the side effects that come with stronger drugs.

Gabapentin

A gentle nerve stabilizer. It’s especially helpful for patients who experience nerve pain or that odd “burning” or “zinging” sensation after surgery. It calms the overactive signals that make nerves hypersensitive.

Together, these three make up a targeted pain relief plan that lasts, works, and doesn’t knock you out mentally. Patients stay clear-headed, can eat, walk, shower, and sleep without the fog that heavy painkillers create.

Why This Approach Works

Good post-operative pain management is all about balance. Enough pain control to stay comfortable, but not so much medication that you feel sedated or sick. The Pain Trifecta does that.

Instead of relying on opioids, which can cause nausea, constipation, or dizziness, Dr. Z’s protocol focuses on local anesthesia and nerve modulation. Treating pain where it starts.

It’s not about trying to be tough or "sticking it out." When pain is managed effectively, your body recovers faster. You move sooner. You breathe deeper. You sleep better. All of that leads to less swelling, better blood flow, and a smoother overall healing process.

Patients who hurt less simply heal better.

How Pain Control Shapes Recovery

After surgery, the first 48 hours are crucial. That’s when swelling peaks, inflammatory responses kick in, and the body is working overtime to repair tissues. Without proper pain management, it can feel overwhelming.

With the Trifecta in place, that first stretch is easier. Most patients report a dull soreness rather than sharp pain. They can stand, stretch, and walk to the bathroom; all things that prevent blood clots and promote circulation.

Even better? There’s less need for opioid use, which means fewer side effects and a clearer head during recovery. Patients often tell Dr. Z, “I thought it would hurt more.” That’s a win.

Why Avoid Heavy Narcotics?

It’s simple. Opioids are powerful but not always helpful. They dull pain, yes, but they also slow your gut, mess with your focus, and can be habit-forming if used too long.

Dr. Z’s philosophy: use them only if truly necessary, and never as the first line of defense. With better tools like Exparel and Ofirmev, most patients don’t need them at all.

Modern plastic surgery is about recovery as much as results. Clear minds, mobile bodies, strong immune systems — these all contribute to great outcomes.

How Dr. Z Plans Your Pain Management

Postoperative pain management actually starts at your initial consultation. Dr. Z reviews your medical history, any prior reactions to medications, and your overall health. He looks at what procedures you’re having done, maybe a tummy tuck, breast lift, or Brazilian butt lift, and builds a personalized pain management plan that fits your needs for continuous pain relief after your surgery.

During surgery, local anesthetics are administered carefully around the area being treated. Afterward, the nursing team helps monitor comfort and response to medication. Everything is timed and adjusted so you stay comfortable but alert.

It’s a team approach. Surgeon, anesthesiologist, nurses, and you. Everyone working together toward one goal: keeping you at ease and managing pain while your body heals.

The Science Behind the Calm

Major surgery is serious. Pain is complicated. Not only the incisions, but the nerve reaction, inflammation, sometimes even anxiety all contribute to postoperative pain. The spinal cord amplifies messages from the surgical site, and before you know it, your whole body is tense.

That’s why multimodal pain management options using several types of medication are so effective. It attacks pain from different directions in a way that over-the-counter drugs simply don't touch.

Exparel blocks nerve communication.

Ofirmev reduces inflammation and fever.

Gabapentin regulates nerve pain and helps calm the central nervous system.

This combo helps patients manage both acute pain (right after surgery) and post-surgical pain that lingers for days. And since it minimizes the need for opioids, recovery feels cleaner. Fewer side effects, faster mobility, and lower risk of physical and psychological effects overall.

Over-the-counter medicines provide short-term relief in the beginning, but don't last very long and are often much weaker than prescription medications.

What It Feels Like

Most patients describe the first few days as “tight” or “tender,” but not unbearable. There’s some swelling and soreness, but it’s manageable. The kind of discomfort that reminds you your body is healing, not suffering.

By day three, the Exparel begins to wear off, and most transition to mild over-the-counter pain medicine like acetaminophen or anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Dr. Z and his team will guide you on exactly when and how to switch.

Pain shouldn’t be ignored, though. It’s communication. If something feels wrong or unusually intense, patients are encouraged to call their surgeon or healthcare provider right away.

The Emotional Side of Pain

Pain isn’t just physical. It’s emotional, too. Anxiety, exhaustion, and even fear can amplify discomfort. Dr. Z and his staff understand that. They check in often — not just about how much pain you have, but how you’re doing. Sleep, appetite, mood. All of it matters.

When patients feel seen and supported, they heal faster. And that’s something this office takes seriously.

The Big Picture

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer for post-surgical pain management. Every body, every procedure, every recovery is different. But good medicine is thoughtful medicine.

The Pain Trifecta offers patients a smarter, safer way to heal. Less reliance on opioids, controlled pain, and a smoother recovery process from start to finish.

Because healing isn’t just about what happens in the operating room. It’s about what happens after. How you move, how you sleep, how you feel when you look in the mirror and realize — you did it.

Ready to Talk About Your Recovery?

If you’re planning plastic surgery recovery and want a surgeon who takes pain control seriously, schedule a consultation at Zuri Plastic Surgery in Miami. Dr. Z and his team will walk you through every step, including how they’ll keep you comfortable while your body heals beautifully.

Call 786.804.1603 or reach out online to learn more about this advanced, patient-focused approach to effective pain management after surgery.

Related procedures: tummy tuck, breast lift, Brazilian butt lift.