Is Exparel worth it?

Question

Hello, I am having my tummy tuck and breast lift July 31. My surgeon has offered me the use of the drug Exparel for a small additional fee. If you used this drug, can you tell me how your recover was?Thanks!L

Robert Kearney, MD, FACS · Answer

I now use Exparel on every tummy tuck I do. I just included it in the procedure fee. Your ability to get around after surgery will be dramatically better.  You can do it without but you will move better with it.

Miguel Delgado, MD · Answer

I switched my patients from a pain pump to Exparel several years ago and my patients do very well with it, much less cumbersome than the pain pump. Good luck.

Luis A. Mejia, MD · Answer

hello thank you for your question and provided information as well .. based on your question in that case, the ideal is to consult with your certified plastic surgeon everything concerning the case.

Jonathan Amspacher, MD · Answer

I use exparel on all my tummy tucks because it dramatically improves recovery. One of the most important things to do after a tummy tuck is to be up walking. Early ambulation is critical to reducing the risk of a blood clot after surgery. I find that exparel helps significantly reduce pain after surgery and patients are able to get moving better right after surgery.   I would highly recommend that you use a provider that uses exparel in their surgeries regularly. Best of luck on your journey.

Richard Baxter, MD · Answer

We did a clinical study on Exparel and tummy tucks a few years ago after it became available, and found that the pain scores and opioid use were reduced by about half. We now place it using a technique called TAP block which seems to work even better. Opioids have side effects such as constipation and nausea so reducing reliance on them has huge benefits.

James E. Chappell, MD · Answer

I use Exparel for all my tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) patients except minis.  I find it has kept patients quite comfortable while it is working (about 3 days).  That said, many patients still require at least some narcotics to completely control their pain, but I do feel that narcotic usage has dropped since I started using either this or the On-Q pain pumps (which I generally only still use on breast augmentations.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear lisaah03,yes, I do use Exparel and I think it is a great option to reduce pain. If you have any doubts, I would suggest you to discuss them with your plastic surgeon. Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Jeffrey A. Sweat, MD · Answer

This is an excellent question and, in my opinion, unfortunately doesn't have a simple yes or no answer.  In my practice, I have gone from offering it at the discretion of the patient, to including it in every surgery with a small increase in price, to not offering it at all and dropping the price of the surgery accordingly.  At this point, I have gone back to a case by case offering for a small additional fee (it is a fairly expensive medication).  In truth, the reason for the evolution in my practice is that I did not find that it consistently relieved pain in everyone.  I think it's a wonderful drug and if you are particularly worried about postoperative pain control, it is likely worth the small additional fee.  However, much like the healing process, everyone is different and not everyone has the same amount of pain after surgery; thus I think some patients will do fine without it.  For someone with chronic pain who routinely takes narcotics, it makes a lot of sense.  For someone else who has had previous surgery with minimal postoperative narcotic usage, it is probably not necessary.  I hope this helps.  Best of luck with your surgery!

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

Having used Exparel for several years now the convalescence after abdominoplasty is much better than in years past. I use it as a matter of routine on all my patients. We do not have an additional charge at my surgery center for this medication.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Congratulations on your upcoming surgery!  In our practice we find that patients are much more comfortable in the first days of recovery when using Exparel.  Talk over the pros and cons with your surgeon to determine what is right for you.

Is Exparel worth it?

Answers (15)

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