How long?

I'm 4 wks post op. I was wondering how long do I have to take pain meds?Some days my stomach hurts worst than other. Mainly on the right side.

I don't think there are any hard and fast rules about how long to take pain meds. The main thing is to be comfortable as it helps your body to heal. Of course you should not use them in such a way as to let you do things you should not be doing.
Everyone is different. Personally, I think it is important to be pain free at night so that you can sleep well.

Are you talking about prescription pain meds or just over the counter like Motrin? Everyone is different, so there isn't really a rule. I was on prescription for several weeks, and eventually went to Motrin only. AFter about maybe week 5 I hardly took anything at all unless I had a bad day and needed a Motrin occasionally.

I took Vicodin for the 1st 2 days and than just took Prescrip. Motrin as needed..I don't like pain killers...hope your feeling better...my dr did say don't be a hero and not take pain killers because the pain killers help your body to relax, which you need in healing.

I'm currently taking 800mg Motrin, only when I can't bare the pain. Some days are ok then some days I'm in a lot of pain.

I think it's perfectly normal to still need Motrin. Eventually you'll take it less and less. Just listen to your body and take it if you need it.

I've been treating my pain with other options. Muscle rubs and cold packs mostly. If it's just the swelling in and around the area that was worked on then it could last the whole 6 weeks or more, depends on how well you heal. If it's internal then you may need to be checked, at least for me most of the internal pain was gone within the first about 8 days. I have some when I eat things I'm allergic to, but that's mostly just other parts inside causing pain to still sensitive areas. Try to rest, even this far out you still need more then you may think you do.