I've had shoulder surgery plus 2 major abdominal surgeries as a sober person. To try and go without the prescribed pain medication would be setting yourself up for a possible relapse. It would be like "I'll do anything to be out of this pain" and you would simply as a matter of survival!

Just remember, anyone who tries to tell you not to take the prescribed pain medication isn't the physician and sure as hell isn't the one having the surgery!

Follow the medical plan and use the help of others. Good luck, it's a tough surgery to come back from but you will.