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I Took Less Pain Meds Than Suggested- Can This Negatively Affect My Breast Augmentation? (photo)

asked 7 months ago by jmanny in Minot, ND
Latest answer by Robert L. Kraft, MD
Question viewed 1,021 times
Tags: 1 week post-op, discontinue, medication, pain, side effects

I had a 450cc silicone sub-muscular breast augmentation six days ago and i'm still very sore and tight. I stopped taking pain medication two days after surgery and even then I only took one every 6 hours instead of 2 every 4-6. I thought i'd tough it out because it made me so loopy and that back fired. Now i'm concerned I messed up my total recovery or if my body is rejecting the implant. Should I start back on the pain medication? Or where should I go from here? Please help, thank you so much.

19 answers to I Took Less Pain Meds Than Suggested- Can This Negatively Affect My Breast Augmentation? (photo)

Pain medicine after breast surgery

The purpose of pain medication is exactly what it says, to reduce pain. Taking less than prescribed will have no impact whatsoever on the surgical outcome. Some patients have higher tolerance for pain than others or do not like the "out of body" sensation to narcotics. However, if it does hurt, you shouldn't suffer unnecessarily. I advise patients to reduce dosage rather than spreading out the medications so as not to fall behind the pain.

Robert L. Kraft, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Does Pain Medication Affect Recovery Time After Breast Augmentation?

Pain medication is given to you after a breast augmentation for the sole reason to control the physical pain and make you more comfortable while you heal. Some people need it, some don't need it as much, it all depends on your personal tolerance of pain. Sometimes, pain medication can actually slow down the healing process because when you don't feel the pain, you may be more active than you would if you were hurting more. So no, not taking pain medication will not adversely affect... more

Andrew Kaczynski, MD
Sacramento Plastic Surgeon

Pain medication and healing

Pain medication is provided to minimize a patient’s post-surgical discomfort. If needed, you should take them as prescribed. Taking this medication does not speed up the healing process. For more information and to discuss your concerns, speak with your plastic surgeon. By the way, your photos look great!

George John Alexander, MD
Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon

Pain medication and breast augmentation

Thank you for your question. Pain medication is for your comfort and typically does not affect the healing after breast augmentation. If you need the pain medication, then take it as long as you are not allergic. Remember not to drive while on the pain medication or operate any machinery. If you pain is getting worse over time, instead of better, then call or see your doctor. Worsening pain sometimes is a sign of a potential problem.

J. Jason Wendel, MD
Nashville Plastic Surgeon

www.mc.vanderbilt.edu

You have done nothing wrong

You have absolutely done nothing wrong by not taking more pain medication. The medications are given for pain control only and have nothing to do with your final results. Please consult your PS if you have any concerns that your recovery is not proceeding as expected.

Renato Saltz, MD
Salt Lake City Plastic Surgeon

Pain pills after surgery

I see no reason to think you have harmed your recovery in any way. In rare instances, increased pain can elevate your blood pressure and that can cause more swelling or bleeding but from what I can see in your pictures, all looks good. Make sure you follow up with your surgeon for your check ups too.

Julio Garcia, MD
Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon

Pain meds had no effect

I do not feel your frequency of taking pain medication has affected your breasts. If you are in pain however and are unable to tolerate your current medication, please speak to your surgeon about trying some other medicine.

Vishnu Rumalla, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

tarrantplasticsurgery.com

I Took Less Pain Meds Than Suggested- Can This Negatively Affect My Breast Aug? (photo)Answer:

You are fine but as others have said, please feel free to call your doctor. That is what you have chosen them for and paid them for!!! They are there to answer all of your questions….

John J. Corey, MD
Phoenix Plastic Surgeon

Pain Medicine Will Not Influence Augmentation Outcome

The fact that you choose not take as much pain medicine as prescribed will not have any effect (negative or positive) on the final result of your breast augmentation. Some patients require more pain medication than others. Your surgeon has dosed the medication at the high end and should have no worry about using less than he/she wrote for.

John Whitt, MD
Louisville Plastic Surgeon

Postoperative Pain Management After Augmenation

You should take the amount of pain pills needed to help you manage the pain. There is no right answer for this and it is recommended that you listen to your body. It does not appear there are any problems from the photo provided. Listen to your physician, but pain pills should not impact your results. Best of luck, Vincent Marin, MD San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Vincent P. Marin, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.marinaesthetics.com

Pain meds and breast augmentation

Most of my patients use the pain meds for a day or two and then usually switch over to tylenol if they do not have an allergy. If you are requiring a lot of pain meds, you m ay want to talk to your doctor and be evaluated.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Pain Medications and Breast Augmentation Results

Dear Jmanny, Thank you for your question. There is no need to worry that the amount of pain medication you took after your breast augmentation surgery will impact your result. Pain medications are for management of pain. Surgeons prescribe them to make the patient's recovery easier. Some patients require more medication than others and some such as yourself require less. The important thing to remember is that you are only six days out from your... more

Herluf G. Lund, Jr, MD
Saint Louis Plastic Surgeon

Less pain medication after breast augmentation

The amount of pain or discomfort after breast implants is subjective and can vary quite a lot. We often have patients who either don't need or don't do well with the medication. You will not affect your result, and you can try over the counter medication such as ibuprofen after the first few days. the anti-inflammatory effect can be helpful for muscular pains. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

www.peterejohnsonmd.com

Amount of medication

When I prescribe medication it is based on the average consumption typically. By definition some patients ( 50% ) will require more and some patients ( 50% ) will require less than the average amount of medication.

Jay M. Pensler, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Pain medications after breast surgery

Patients differ widely in regards to pain tolerance after breast augmentation. Some patients don't take any prescription pain meds at all, while others might use them for a week or more. The majority of patients will need narcotic pain pills (hydrocodone, oxycodone, codeine, etc.) for the first 2-3 days after surgery. After the first couple of days, patients can usually switch to over the counter medications. It is extremely unlikely that a patient would be able... more

Kelly Gallego, MD
Sioux City Plastic Surgeon

Purpose of pain meds in breast augmentation

The only reason for the pain meds in breast augmentation is for you to reach a point of "tolerable discomfort." Some folks get there with much less than others. As long as things look as good as they seem to for you, you should not be concerned that anything is wrong. Please re-direct all these questions to your doctor as they would hate for you to be out on the net worrying like this. They are there to help you!

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Breast augmentation recovery

Thank you for the question and picture. There has been no harm done in the way you have used your pain medications. At this point take the pain medications as needed for pain. Continue to follow up with your plastic surgeon with questions and concerns. Best wishes.

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

Pain medication does not affect outcome from breast implants

The result from your surgical procedure is completely independent from your use of pain medication. Don't worry, you did not ruin the result of your operation, in fact your result looks excellent. The pain medication prescribed after this procedure is used strictly to control the pain. Now, what you can do to help with some of the minor post op pain and help to reduce the swelling is start on Advil or Ibuprofen. It is a powerful anti-inflammatory and will help... more

David Finkle, MD
Omaha Plastic Surgeon

Pain medications do not affect your result

Hello, Do not worry a single second about it. The pain medications are to make you feel more comfortable they are not designed to improve or take part in your result. Good luck with the rest of your recovery. Sounds like its going well. All the best, Dr Repta