What I have learned most recently - in the Boston Hospital arena - is that Boston (and I also went to Childrens this year) has excellent surgeons and top pain service clinics. The top surgeons are just that - surgeons. Surgeons do not assist with pain maintenance. With my second elbow surgery my surgeon said - I have to refer you to pain management, I do not treat pain. Looking back on that from three years ago I have a better understanding. Of course at the time, I did not.
I also learned last week after having been referred by my pain center up to the Brigham & Woman's Pain Center that the higher end "invasive" pain centers do not prescribe meds either. They have you continue to work with the middle man pain center as well as your primary care doctor. I asked the Brigham Pain Center about my current scripts - where do I go for refills, etc. I was nervous that no one was thinking of that or withdrawal if no one game me the meds. They explained what their purpose is...mostly procedures and spinal cord implants, then you work with the pain center that referred you - or your Primary Care if they are good and your relationship is a good one. You are fortunate if it is a good one. Mine just refers me out everywhere and refuses to participate when i need assistance. Currently looking for a new one.
Not sure if this helped, expect great surgery from your surgeon, expect great care from your pain service/primary care. I went to Childrens and met with one of their top shoulder surgeons this June and July. He was polite and interested in trying to find out what my issue was. He did state, in the first visit, he could make pain med recomendations, but those would be given to me through my pain service - should he recommend anything. He did not - he called it Shoulder to Hand Syndrom which I have now learned is CRPS/RSD.
Any doctor that is more concerned about addiction than assisting with pain is not the right one for the medications anyway. If you are local and Childrens was in your area, I would suggest talking with your primary care about working with a dedicated Pain Center. If not meeting them prior to your surgery - but setting an appointment now to have on the books for after your surgery to be ready for the pain. Just a thought.
You are right - Suffering is not an option. Call your primary, ask what facility they work with for pain and give them a call.