But some pain after surgery is far cry from chronic pain.

From my experience, there's very clear difference to be in pain for a quick moment, few hours, day or two, a couple weeks.. Fortunately I didn't have to experience it longer than that.

But I feel pretty confident to say it grows at geometrical progression. Short, even very strong, pain is nothing compared to week-long, even much lesser, pain. Post-surgery pain for a day or two is a joke compared to chronic lifelong pain.