Pain Level for Breast Augmentation and Tummy Tuck?

I would recommend using a pain pump, adequate ongoing and as-needed pain medications. May need assistance with getting in and out of bed for 3-5 days. If you have young children, you will not be able to hold them tight or pick them up for at least 2-4 weeks.

Breast augmentation if usually not too painful, especially if a muscle relaxant and pain medication are given and properly used. Usually the majority of pain subsides after a couple of days. A Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is definitely more painful than breast augmentation. Most patients compare the pain to that of a c-section. Again with proper pain medication, usually combined with a light muscle relaxant; most patients will find the pain to be tolerable.

Many patients find that combining breast augmentation with tummy tuck more convenient since the recovery time is combined.  My patients who have these combined procedures do very well provided they have some help during the first few days after surgery, particularly if they have a young family.  Post operative pain is easily controlled with oral medication and driving is restricted until the medications are discontinued, which is usually in 3-5 days.  This, of course, may... more

I frequently perform an augmentation at the same time as an abdominoplasty; in fact, I call this a "Mommyplasty" or a "Mommy-Makeover." Very few patients think this combined procedure is too painful and the majority can go back to work in an office within a 10 days. Obviously, some patients have a more difficult time, but I don't remember a healthy patient regretting the procedure.