Christine,
No one that I know likes pain. I have read many posts where post-ops had very little pain and no complications. IT is best to go into the surgery anticipating that there might be some, that there are meds to help, it should pass, and that you are gaining your health back... after all it is surgery that you are having. I did have pain, but I had the best nursing/surgeon care that I could have dreamt of... I used ice pack and heat packs to help... the meds are excellant, and I found that if I kept up on the meds, that it was all easier than waiting for pain to sneak up on me. I gagged on the barium solution to check for leaks~~ other than that no vomiting. Best wishes for your journey.