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Are Pain Pumps for TT Recovery Really Worth the Extra Cost?

asked 7 months ago by JoBibbi
Latest answer by Robert Brueck, MD
Question viewed 253 times
Tags: pain pump

Are pain pumps for TT recovery really worth the extra cost?

21 answers to Are Pain Pumps for TT Recovery Really Worth the Extra Cost?

+2

Are pain pumps worth the extra cost?

This is an excellent question. There is quite a diversity of opinions concerning this and some studies report that they do not seem to be effective. In my experience I have mixed results as well. I do discuss this with my patients and use it if they wish. Currently I prefer to use a long acting local anesthesia (bupivicaine) combined with narcotics. There is a new drug combination coming out next year that will considerably extend the length of time that... more
Donald M. Brown, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon
+2

Pain pumps or not for tummy tucks

I personally don't use pain pumps, just narcotic medicines and muscle relaxants. With good patient selection also, we have not seen the need for the extra expense and the patients all do fine.
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+2

Pain Pump for Tummy Tuck Patients

Thank you for your question. You will find that each surgeon has his/her routine. I personally use the pain pump for each one of my tummy tuck patients - at no extre charge. Patients have told me that they are happy that they had the pain pump for their recovery. The tummy tuck surgery involves a relatively rough recovery and I believe that the pain pump is very helpful for the first 3-4 days of recovery (which are normally the most difficult). I hope this helps. more
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

+1

Pain pumps

I do not use pain pumps and my patients usually are up and about the next day.Usually the pain pills I prescribe are adequate to control the post op pain.
Robert Brueck, MD

Fort Myers Plastic Surgeon
+1

Pain pumps and tummy tucks.

I prefer to use pain pumps in cases of significant diastasis recti and have found that my patients due benefit from them. In my practice, there is no additional cost for the use of a pain pump, however some offices will itemize these pumps within the cost of surgery. I do find that patients tend to use less pain pills when they have the pump, are up and moving quicker, and tend to recover in less time.
David Bogue, MD

Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon
+1

Pain pumps and tummy tucks

I find that the patients who use pain pumps have a slightly faster (a few days to even a week or more) return to normal activity and wean from narcotic pills faster than those who do not use the pumps. There is some promise on the horizon for long acting local anesthetic agents to possibly substitute for pain pumps, but for now, I usually recommend them. Good luck!
Tim Abou-Sayed, MD

Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon
+1

Are Pain Pumps for TT Recovery Really Worth the Extra Cost?

Great question! If these devise were FREE than more of us would use them. But the cost is quite excessive. If you can afford the extra expense than I love them, but most patients balk at the additional fees. Also the need of teaching the use can cause additional issues. Finally the extra tube coming out of the incisions can cause other problems. In some patients who desire the extra costs (about $500 to $800), the majority love them. As stated by Drs Rand and Bereka a study has shown no... more
Darryl J. Blinski, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Are Pain Pumps for TT Recovery Really Worth the Extra Cost?Answer:

I have seen a difference in using them, however I do tunnel them under the muscle fascia. I think that just laying them under the skin probably is not as effective…The local probably gets sucked out by the drain!!! We did instant ultrasound on the muscle to see exactly in what we were placing the catheters, but honestly had a time even seeing the small tubes…So for now, all patients get the Pain Pump (On-Q) and they seem to do very well… more
John J. Corey, MD

Phoenix Plastic Surgeon
+1

Pain pumps after tummy tuck

I have seen such a dramatic sifference in the way patients recuperate with the pain pump it is no longer optional I have included it as part of my OR supplies and built it into the price. The patients are up and walking without significant pain. I have found at least a50-75% reduction in the amount of narcotics needed post-op.
Steven Schuster, MD

Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon
+1

Optional pain pumps after tummy tuck

Pain pumps are optional after surgery, and if you surveyed surgeons, most do not use them. Our patients don't like the idea of tubes sticking out of them after tummy tuck, and we have long ago given up on drains as well. Cost is one factor, inconvenience is another. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd.com
Peter E. Johnson, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Pain pumps are ineffective

"Pain pumps" should really be called "local anesthesia pumps." Patient have enough pain already! They sound like a good idea, but studies show they don't seem to be effective. The cost more, are a hassle, and increase the risk of complications. I prefer to use a long-lasting local anesthetic at the time of surgery (bupivacaine). This local anesthetic works in the tissue for many hours, possibly even a day, after surgery. ... more
Eric Swanson MD

Leawood Plastic Surgeon

www.swansoncenter.com

+1

Abdominoplasty recovery , pain pumps and tummy tuck healing

I prefer pain pumps.. i think they work better when placed under the fascia or outer covering of the muscle. I think my patients get up faster and require less narcotic in the first few days but pain and healing differs from patient to patient
Jed H. Horowitz, MD

Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy Tuck - Are Pain Pumps for TT Recovery Really Worth the Extra Cost?

I have not found a high degree of pain among my patients, so I have not normally incorporated this into the post-procedure course. I have been able to manage the post-op period with some relatively mild narcotics and my patients are usually able to mobilize reasonably well even from an early stage. Obviously, plenty of surgeons use them, but - in my experience - it has not been necessary for an active and effective recovery. I hope that this helps, and good luck, Dr. E more
Alan Engler, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Pain pumps have been shown in a controlled study not to make a difference.

Hi. As you can see, there is a difference of opinion. I agree with Dr. Rand. Actually, in a good controlled scientific study, pain pumps were shown to have no benefit. see video
George J. Beraka, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Pain Pumps and Abdominoplasty

I use pain pumps on all my abdominoplasties. I feel, if placed in the muscle sheath that is repaired during the surgery, will significantly diminish the amount of pain that the patient experiences post operatively. I have yet to have a patient the was not grateful for using one. The expense is minimal when considering the total expense of the procedure. Not only do the pain pumps help with pain control, but they also allow one to move around more freely post operatively, which I believe... more
Wilfred Brown, MD

Fairfield Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy tuck, Pain Pump

I offer pain pumps to all my abdominoplasty patients, but leave it up to them to make the choice. Here's a great anecdote to answer your question. A few months ago I did a tummy tuck on a young woman and inserted a pain pump. They have enough medicine in them to last 4 1/2 days.She called the office in tears 3 days after surgery wanting more narcotics to handle the extreme pain. I explained it was unusual to need so much medicine when she had a pain pump. She told me she had so little... more
Ronald V. DeMars, MD

Portland Plastic Surgeon

www.drdemarsmd.com

+1

Pain pumps for tummy tucks

I do not use the pain pump. I prescribe narcotic medication and recommend significant restriction in activities for the initial postoperative period. I do have concern that anything that masks pain could result in overexertion on the part of the patient. The pain can be controlled by medication and my patient satisfaction rate is high. Abdominoplasty patients are highly motivated and tend to do extremely well postoperatively.
Robert L. Kraft, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Pain pump.

It depends on your pain tolerance. I advise them, but it is your choice. A lot of patients state " I didn't think it was working until it ran out, then I realized what it was doing.".
Robert H. Schnarrs, MD

Norfolk Plastic Surgeon
+1

Pain pumps and tummy tucks

Thank you for your question. In my practice, I encourage the use of the pain pump after tummy tuck. It is very good for individuals who have a low tolerance for discomfort and/or have a sensitivity to narcotic pain medication. It can make your recovery for the first 3 days much smoother and would consider it worth it. Talk to your surgeon about it and see what he/she thinks. Best of Luck.
J. Jason Wendel, MD

Nashville Plastic Surgeon
+1

Are pain pumps worth the cost?

I have found that pain pumps are quite worth the extra expense. I use them only for tummy tucks and have found that patients use less narcotic pain medicine and therefore feel better and are more active after surgery. I feel that this helps in a quicker recovery. By the time the pain pump runs out in about 4-5 days, the initial pain has receded substantially and frequently the need for narcotics is just about finished.
Jeffrey E. Kyllo, MD

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Pain pumps

I do not use pain pumps. I agree that abdominoplasties are tough on a patient. i believe that the pain is a protective mechanism so you do not do too much immediately after surgery and injure some of the work that has been done. i prescribe narcotics and people seem to do ok after a couple of days.
Jonathan Saunders, MD

Newark Plastic Surgeon

www.drjonathansaunders.com

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