Postoperative pain is suboptimally controlled for many people, however, limited information is available about pain from the patient's perspective. OBJECTIVES: A purpose of this observational pilot study was to describe patients' postoperative pain relief and their satisfaction with their care after common abdominal or orthopedic surgical procedures. METHODS: Within 24 hours before discharge from the hospital after total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH), or total hip or knee replacement (THR, TKR), patients completed a new survey that included a modified version of the American Pain Society (APS) Quality Improvement Questionnaire. Percent pain relief and pain-related interference with activities were rated on a 0 (0% relief, no interference) - 10 (100% relief, maximum interference) analog scale. Satisfaction with pain treatment was rated on a six-point Likert scale. Data were collected between August and November 1999. RESULTS: Mean percent pain relief from analgesics was at least 70% for all persons in each surgical group and overall. On average, pain interfered most with sleep (5.4/10) for TAH and THR patients, and 6.7/10 for TKR patients, and with walking ability for THR (5.0/10) and TKR (5.8/10) patients. Of TAH patients, 42.9% reported being slightly dissatisfied, and 57.1% reported being satisfied with their pain care. All THR patients and more than 82% of TKR patients were satisfied or very satisfied with their pain treatment. CONCLUSION: Although pain interfered with sleep and other activities, most patients were satisfied with their pain care. Pain levels and pain-related interference with activities may be related to suboptimal analgesic doses or dosing frequency.