Hi Joe,
I had TRH using an anterior approach. I was completely satisfied with my Dr.'s approach to pain managment.
I had OxyContin for the day of surgery and one follow up day in the hospital (my option to stay or go home), and the first three days at home. Then I went to Percocet every 4 hours as needed for 4 weeks, but your use naturally tapers off. Since then, it's just been extra strength Tylenol in the morning, and at 10 weeks I just take them "in case."
Plus, I had "spinal anesthesia" which really rocked! It's not the same as "an epidural", but most people think it is. Look it up online, but not only does it work perfect for the surgery, they can mix in some long lasting stuff in the spinal block that really helps for the rest of that day and night.
All the good pain meds will cause constipation, so take lots of stool softeners, and don't worry about not going for a couple of days. Jo has a sticky about this whole topic, but they do disrupt your peristoltic rhytyhm and such.
I had to get a cathater becuase I couldn't urinate, but that wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Hospitals are being more and more deligent about sterilizing everything, and I wouldn't let anybody even touch me unless I witnessed them hit the Purell dispenser on the wall first!
Good luck, and don't worry, it's really really not that bad!