What do you guys usually prescribe to patients who had a BBL tummy tuck and lipo all at once?

Pain control is important.  I typically use whatever medication a patient has used in the past that has had success.  If the patient has never had surgery or never used pain medication, I use oral narcotic meds of varying strengths.   I think that many patients require prescription pain medications for the first week or so with the transition to the use of Tylenol for the next week.  The pain can be managed effectively, and this aspect should not deter you from surgery.Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

dear patient: thanks for your question.  Usually when a patient decides to have a Mommy Makeover (combination of Tummy Tuck, and Breast Augmentation and Liposuction, BBL, or any of these variations toghether) the patient would be instructed during the Pre Op appointment (after your PS has in detail analyzed your medical/clinical history) what type of medications will be prescribed and how to take those medications.  Usually (if you are a healthy young patient/ with no pre-existing conditions)  these would include: a painkiller (it could be Norco or Percocet and this would be discussed with your PS in detail) a Muscle relaxer like Methacarbonol (again this would be up to your PS) to help with pain particularly if you are undergoing a Breast Augmentation and you are small or on the tight side, and Keflex (an antibiotic which would cover the patient for any risk of infection, again this would be up to your PS to decide, specially if you are allergic or have had any bad reactions to any of these medicines) Hope this helps! Remember to always consult with Board Certified Plastic Surgeons when you are undergoing several surgeries in one sitting! Your PS should also be a member of ASAPS and ASPS.Ron Soltero Md FACSMember ASPSMember ASAPS

Medications prescribed after surgery will vary by surgeon preference and patient circumstances. For example medication selection may be altered by patient allergies. Some common medications are narcotics for pain management and antibiotics for infection prevention. Sometimes medications are recommended for management of swelling or muscle relaxers. Your surgeon will let you know what is best for your planned procedures.

for big, painful procedures and I have no issues with prescribing them for my patients.  Norco (hydrocodone) is the workhorse but if patients come from out of town, I usually prescribe Percocet (Oxycodone) since in my book, that is the strongest narcotic I can provide and if not adequate, will have to figure out other ways to control the pain such as use of NSAID's at the same time or to help wean off narcotics as they heal.  Some surgeons simply won't prescribe narcotics... I would avoid them if I was a patient.