I had traditional liposuction by a board certified plastic surgeon 9 weeks ago. He removed 5000cc from the upper/lower abs, flanks and back. I am still in excruciating pain, so much so that I cannot wear a bra or function with pain medication. I have gone to see my primary care physician who prescribed gabapentin for the severe nerve pain but at this point I am at a loss. I am depressed! It is nerves firing and any pressure again my ribs from a bra leaves me crying from pain. Please help
Answer: Liposuction and Pain Pain should not be significant even after a hi definition procedure. And pain should resolve days to weeks after the procedure. Please see evaluation if you are concerned. Best, Dr. Emer.
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Answer: Liposuction and Pain Pain should not be significant even after a hi definition procedure. And pain should resolve days to weeks after the procedure. Please see evaluation if you are concerned. Best, Dr. Emer.
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May 21, 2016
Answer: Severe pain after liposuction What you describe is not normal.Some patients will have pain or tenderness much longer than others after liposuction.For most people it has substantially subsided my six weeks. I'm glad you went to your primary care physician.Please be very careful taking narcotic pain medication for long periods of time.At this point you may benefit from being a valuated by a pain specialist. Sometimes using smaller doses of several medications can be a better approach.For example the combination of ibuprofen, gabapentin, Tylenol and narcotic pain medication on a limited basis could be a good regimen.depending on the dose and frequency of gabapentin you need to be aware that this medication can give undesirable withdrawal effects if not stopped in a gradual fashion.It's generally not difficult to stop taking it but it should never be done abruptly.Narcotic pain medication should generally also be gradually tapered.A comprehensive treatment plan put together by either your primary care physician and plastic surgeon or ideally A pain specialist specialist may serve you well.while nine weeks is a long time to have that level of pain and certainly much more than you had anticipated the pain will subside with time and it is relatively unheard of the people I have chronic pain after liposuction.This may take a few more months but my best guess is that the pain will eventually go away completely.Hang in there,Mats Hagstrom M.D.
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May 21, 2016
Answer: Severe pain after liposuction What you describe is not normal.Some patients will have pain or tenderness much longer than others after liposuction.For most people it has substantially subsided my six weeks. I'm glad you went to your primary care physician.Please be very careful taking narcotic pain medication for long periods of time.At this point you may benefit from being a valuated by a pain specialist. Sometimes using smaller doses of several medications can be a better approach.For example the combination of ibuprofen, gabapentin, Tylenol and narcotic pain medication on a limited basis could be a good regimen.depending on the dose and frequency of gabapentin you need to be aware that this medication can give undesirable withdrawal effects if not stopped in a gradual fashion.It's generally not difficult to stop taking it but it should never be done abruptly.Narcotic pain medication should generally also be gradually tapered.A comprehensive treatment plan put together by either your primary care physician and plastic surgeon or ideally A pain specialist specialist may serve you well.while nine weeks is a long time to have that level of pain and certainly much more than you had anticipated the pain will subside with time and it is relatively unheard of the people I have chronic pain after liposuction.This may take a few more months but my best guess is that the pain will eventually go away completely.Hang in there,Mats Hagstrom M.D.
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Answer: Pain after Liposuction Dear SzzInqgt, I am so sorry to hear that you are in such pain. Pain and swelling are typical symptoms for several months after undergoing liposuction, but if the pain truly is as “excruciating” as you say, then it is best to consult with your plastic surgeon as soon as possible to determine what the issue may be. If your plastic surgeon is unable to offer any satisfying solutions, then you may need to visit a neurologist who specializes in pain management, as other surgeons have noted. A neurologist may have a better chance of finding a more suitable treatment if your pain is due more to a complication in the nervous system than due to a complication from surgery (such as an infection).
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Answer: Pain after Liposuction Dear SzzInqgt, I am so sorry to hear that you are in such pain. Pain and swelling are typical symptoms for several months after undergoing liposuction, but if the pain truly is as “excruciating” as you say, then it is best to consult with your plastic surgeon as soon as possible to determine what the issue may be. If your plastic surgeon is unable to offer any satisfying solutions, then you may need to visit a neurologist who specializes in pain management, as other surgeons have noted. A neurologist may have a better chance of finding a more suitable treatment if your pain is due more to a complication in the nervous system than due to a complication from surgery (such as an infection).
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