How Much Pain Will I Be In?

One of the most common concerns patients have before surgery is simple: “How much pain will I be in?”
Today, I had the opportunity to share something remarkable.

With permission from this patient to post, he is just 24 hours after open-heart coronary bypass surgery via sternotomy—with chest tubes still in place—and reports essentially no pain.

How is this possible?

Through the use of cryoablation, a technique that uses controlled extreme cold to temporarily freeze the intercostal nerves responsible for transmitting pain signals from the chest wall. By interrupting those signals, we can dramatically improve postoperative comfort—without compromising safety or outcomes.

For this patient, it meant waking up comfortable… and staying comfortable.

This is more than just a single case. It reflects how thoughtful innovation, combined with surgical excellence, can fundamentally change the patient experience.

As surgeons, our goal is not only to deliver outstanding clinical outcomes, but also to improve recovery, reduce suffering, and help patients return to their lives as quickly and safely as possible.

The future of cardiac surgery isn’t just about what we do in the operating room—it’s about how our patients feel afterward.

Interested in my book? You can buy it on Amazon!

(𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸𝘴 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘺 𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘺𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘻𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯.)

Recent Posts

Why Social Media?

Why Social Media?

Why would a heart surgeon spend time creating social media content? Dr. Raymond Singer shares why education has always been at the heart of his mission and how today’s digital platforms allow physicians to reach and empower thousands of patients with accurate, compassionate, evidence-based medical information.

read more
The Legacy We Leave Behind

The Legacy We Leave Behind

Success is often measured by accomplishments, titles, and recognition, but the greatest legacy we leave is found in the lives we touch. Dr. Singer reflects on the enduring impact of compassion, mentorship, and service, reminding us that our influence extends far beyond our careers.

read more
250 Years of Medicine

250 Years of Medicine

Philadelphia is known as the birthplace of American democracy, but it is also the birthplace of American medicine. Dr. Raymond Singer reflects on the physicians, hospitals, and medical institutions that transformed healthcare and continue to shape medicine 250 years later.

read more
The Most Dangerous Emotion

The Most Dangerous Emotion

Anger is more than an emotion. It places real physical stress on the heart, raising blood pressure, increasing stress hormones, and contributing to cardiovascular disease. Dr. Raymond Singer discusses the medical effects of chronic anger and why choosing kindness, patience, and compassion benefits both our emotional well-being and our hearts.

read more
Leadership is About Standards

Leadership is About Standards

Leadership is not about titles. It is about standards. The best leaders don’t ask others to do what they are unwilling to do themselves. They set the tone through integrity, consistency, humility, and kindness. Every interaction, every decision, and every challenge...

read more

Featured

Pages

Questions? Comments?
Reach out to me here:

7 + 14 =

Respiratory Therapists
Even in the darkest seasons, faith is what keeps our feet moving when our hearts feel heavy. This I’ve learned…

Not every day will offer clarity. Not every chapter will feel fair. But the light that guides us forward is often born in the very moments that test us the most.

Keep going. Keep believing. Your breakthrough may be closer than you think.

About The Author

Dr. Raymond Singer

Dr. Singer has been in practice since 1992 and has, to date, performed over 8,456 surgeries. His practice interests include complex valve, coronary and aneurysm surgery, as well as prevention and treatment of lung cancer.

 

2023 Top Doc

2023 Top Doc

 

TikTok