There is no reason to be heroic about immediate post operative pain, it can and should be well controlled. After my bunionectomy I went home with a prescription for 40 oxycodone (percocet with acetominophen) for strong pain relief, 30 Hydroxyzine (Vistaril) to potentiate the oxycodone and reduce swelling, anxiety, and nausea and 40 Propoxyphene (Darvocet with acetominophen) for less strong pain. I took them as prescribed for a week and a half and only had one really painful period of time (the second night after surgery). I think it is really important to control your pain so that you can keep a positive attitude and bolster your patience with the recovery. I have talked to a few other people who really seemed to be in a lot of pain and to regret their choice to have surgery. Some other advice: make sure that you elevate and ice like crazy and try to get someone who can really take care of you during the first week. It is hard to get around let alone cook for yourself.