Is Exparel worth it? Does it work?

Question

My PS offers Exparel at the surgical site for pain control for 72 hours. It's an additional cost of $300. I am trying to find other women that used it, or see if other docs recommend getting it!! Thanks!

Ralph Trey Aquadro, MD · Answer

Exparel is a wonderful medication an a has revolutionized abdominoplasty post operative pain control.  I've been using it for a few years now and can say it offers much better pain control than the pain pumps ever did--without the added hassle of carrying around the pump.  If I were having surgery, I would pay more than $300 for it.  
Best,
Trey Aquadro, M.D.
Auburn, AL

Gregory Turowski, MD, PhD, FACS · Answer

Exparel provides 3 days of pain relief with significant reduction of narcotics requirement. It is injected during the procedure when the patient is asleep and continues to work for 72 hrs. After that tome your body adjusts to the new shape and pain is definitely manageable. It may cost you a little more but it is worth it

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.  My patients who have used exparel have experienced significantly less pain and everyone has said it is worth it.
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question.  Exparel does work, but to varying degrees in people.  Most breast augmentations choose to not use Exparel but if you would like to minimize your recovery discomfort and prescription pain use it may be a good option for you.  Best wishes on your upcoming procedure.

Michael E. Decherd, MD, FACS · Answer

I find that I normally do not need it for breast augmentation. On the other hand it is great in abdominoplasty.... The pain caused by the muscle plication is almost eliminated.Good luck!

Ram Kalus, MD, FACS · Answer

We use Exparel routinely on all breast augmentations and tummy tucks and our patients are generally remarkably comfortable for 48-72 hours rarely requiring narcotics. Much depends on your own pain threshold. Best of luck to you.

E. Ronald Finger, MD · Answer

Exparel, a long acting local anesthetic, does work. I don't know what procedure you are having, but for a mammoplasty, I would not use it as the procedure is not that painful. Proper exercised after surgery avoids most pain. For an abdominoplasty, you may consider it, but generally I use Marcaine and the "no-drain" TT technique and patients have no problem with excess pain. Thank you for your question, and good luck.

Forrest S. Roth, MD, FACS · Answer

In our opinion - yes! Exparel has revolutionized post-operative pain management.  Especially for breast procedures, abdominoplasties, & liposuction.  Our patients report significantly less pain over the first 72 hours after surgery, compared to the patients we treated before Exparel was available.

David Janssen, MD, FACS · Answer

We offer this as an ala carte option like your doctor does. I mix the fat bound Marcaine = Exparel with Free Marcaine so there is better pain control while awakening in almost all of my submuscular augmentations and formal abdominoplasties. I also use it in breast reconstructions and the patients all say it was worth it.

John P. Stratis, MD · Answer

I have used both Exparel and pain pumps in my abdominoplasty patients and I prefer the Exparel. I believe it works very well. Have used marcaine for breast augmentation along with a muscle relaxer and that works great. I do not charge my patients additional for any of these. I do not like to nickle and dime my patients.

Is Exparel worth it? Does it work?

Answers (13)

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