Should You Take Pain Medicine Regularly or Only if You Experience Severe Pain?

I have heard that taking pain medicine regularly instead of letting the pain get bad will help you heal. Is this true? If so how long should you continue on pain medicine?

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14 Doctor Answers | Asked by JenBob in TN

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Mommy Makeover Pain Medicine should be taken as needed.

Mommy Makeover patients have undergone extensive surgery and should medicate themselves as instructed for comfort. Every plastic surgeon has different preferences for pain management. Discuss your surgeon's pain management guidelines at you pre-surgical visit. I strongly suggest to our patients that during the first few days after surgery, narcotic pain medication should be taken regularly and slowly discontinued as the patient's pain levels diminish. There is little reason to be... more

Taking pain medicine after surgery

I would recommend following the instructions on the medicine bottle to avoid any potential problems associated with the pain pills.

Pain meds

I tell patients to take it as prescribed for pain but only if they really need it, because the meds can cause constipation. Otherwise stick with Tylenol.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

After Surgery - Should You Take Pain Medicine Regularly or Only if You Experience Severe Pain?

Regarding: "Should You Take Pain Medicine Regularly or Only if You Experience Severe Pain? I have heard that taking pain medicine regularly instead of letting the pain get bad will help you heal. Is this true? If so how long should you continue on pain medicine?" Pain medications, like all medications, can help you and can seriously hurt or even kill you. Taking medications ALWAYS involves risks. While the medicine can alleviate pain , reduce blood pressure, thin blood... more

Should You Take Pain Medicine Regularly or Only if You Experience Severe Pain

Pain medication is prescribed just for that-PAIN. It does nothing to help you heal. If you are in pain, take the medication. If not, then do not take it.

The First 24 to 48 Hours Following Your Mommy Makeover

The amount of pain medication a patient should take post-operatively will vary depending on the type of surgery that has been performed. In the first 24 to 48 hours following a procedure, the average patient may require pain medication every 4 to 6 hours. During this early pain period it is important for a patient to have sufficient pain control in order that they can take deep breaths and walk around. If a patient waits until pain is severe, then she may require a larger dose of pain... more

Taking pain medications following surgery.

Pain medication should be taken during the initial post operative period on a regular basis if you are experiencing pain. This period varies by individual, but in the case of a Mommy Makeover in which several procedures are performed is usually 7-10 days. During this period it is usually better to take the medication on a regular basis to keep the pain well controlled rather than wait until the pain is very severe. It is harder to get pain relief when your pain is very severe... more

Pain medication: how to take following cosmetic surgery

Traditionally, the vast majority of pain occurs during the inflammatory period of wound healing in the first 4 days following a surgical procedure. Taking a pain medication to prevent pain on a regular basis has been shown to minimize the overall dose and intake of pain medicationhas and avoids the ups and downs of pain relief. Typically once you experience pain, an oral medication may take anywhere from 30-45 minutes to take effect. Therefore, I commonly adivise... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Pain medicine should be taken only when needed after a mommy makeover operation.

Patients should take pain medication only when needed. Narcotics have some unwanted side effects that can be avoided of they are not taken to combat pain. This includes itching, dysphoria, nausea, and constipation.

Pain medication instructions

To avoid pain, patients should follow prescription instructions as directed by the physician. There are many factors that contribute to controlling pain the patient experiences. Patients vary in pain tolerance, tolerance of narcotics, and the amount needed could depend on the severity and complexity of the case. It is difficult to diagnose or assess for pain, only you can determine the amount of pain you are experiencing and should alter the medication regimen according to your needs. It... more

Proper Use of Prescribed Pain Medication After Surgery

This is a difficult subject to easily cover for all individuals. Patients have different procedures. Patients have different tolerances to pain. Patients have different ideas of what pain they should receive and tolerate and patients have different physical responses to the pain medications. For all of these reasons one answer would not apply to all patients. Pain medications are provided to enable to post operative patient to be as comfortable as possible... more