How Does a PS Decide to Offer a Pain Pump or Not for a Tummy Tuck?

Hello, I was wondering why or why not do u give a tummy tuck patient a pain pump? Thx so much.

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5 Doctor Answers | Asked by mountainmomma in Bend, OR

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Tummy Tucks need help with pain

A tummy tuck is a painful procedure because of the tightness that is applied to the muscles along the entire length of the abdomen. Some patients take this better than others but it is important that a patient maintain good pulmonary function and ambulate. I routinely use the local anesthetic pain pump because I feel there are some patients that greatly benefit however, there are times when I think it was not helpful; I can not predict. I have modified my catheter insertion... more

Marcus L. Peterson, MD

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Saint George Plastic Surgeon

Use of pain pumps is a matter of preference for patient and surgeon

Hi there- Whether or not your surgeon uses a pain pump as a component of your postoperative pain management is something you should discuss with him, and which should be decided by the two of you after a careful conversation. Any qualified plastic surgeon will be capable of placing it for you at the time of surgery, although you should be aware this will likely increase your costs a bit, as these can cost up to $450 per pump. The bigger question, of course, is whether or not it... more

Pain pump or not after tummy tuck?

I assume the "pain pump" you are talking about is a small catheter infusing local anesthetic under the lifted and tightened abdominal skin and not an intravenous pump (PCA). If that is the case, I can tell you that I used the local anesthetic catheter/pump system routinely for several tummy tuck patients and found no difference in the patients' need for oral analgesics. The catheters were inserted correctly inside the rectus (muscle) sheath, and the... more

Pain pump not very effective

There is at least one study that does not show a benefit of pain pumps in abdominoplasty. Many plastic surgeons are aware of the painful plication(muscle) sutures and use long lasting local anesthesia for this. Now there is even a longer acting anesthetic called Exparel that can provide pain relief up to 72 hrs. I would discuss this option with your plastic surgeon.

Using the Pain Pump for Tummy Tuck Surgeries

Thank you for your question. In my practice, I routinely use a pain pump for every tummy tuck surgery. This is a very large procedure and usually quite uncomfortable for the first week so with the use of the pain pump, patients are able to tolerate things a little better. I believe each surgeon's office is different so discuss this with your surgeon and see what he/she recommends. Best Wishes. see video