Pain medication after Breast Augmentation

Question

I'm concerned about the pain I will experience after my surgery, which is in 4 days. I filled my prescription which was for only 3 Percocet, total. It reads to take 1 to 2 every 4-6 hrs as needed for pain but that's just enough for 1 day then, if I'm experiencing a lot of pain. Do you think this is a mistake? Should I call or is this the normal amount prescribed for post operative pain?

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

It should have probably been 30 or so, and this can likely be rectified.Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA

Dallas Buchanan, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. The most typical number of pills written for a script would be 30, so if your script is for 3, I would guess this is a typo. I cannot believe the pharmacy filled this without verifying with the doctor, but I would certainly reach out to your doctor's office to verify this amount before the day of surgery.Hope this helps and good luck with your procedure!

Christopher T. Maloney Jr., MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. In my practice I typically write for 30 oxycodone/ percocet in addition to valium. My guess is they planned on writing for 30 and there was a typo or something. I would call the office and verify. Most patients in my practice take the pain medication for a couple of days. Best of luck.

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

Hello,This sounds like a prescription error. 30 Percocet would be more typical. Some of my patients do not find that they need such strong pain relief post op but others do, and typically for a few days. I recommend that you contact your Plastic Surgeon to clarify.All the best

Francis Johns, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.Everyone responds to pain differently. It is odd to write a prescription for only 3 pills, usually I give 30. I would contact your surgeon to make sure of what they wanted you to have. Good luck with surgery.

Miguel Delgado, MD · Answer

Pain Med's are required after breast augmentation, especially when they are placed under the muscle. I usually give patients 40 to 50 Percocet.  Sleeping flat will cause more pain and swelling. Ask your PS about pain control.

Jane M. Rowley, MD · Answer

I typically prescribe a narcotic and muscle relaxant for at least 1-2 weeks.  3 percocet  is probably not enough.  Talk to your surgeon, they could have made a mistake on the prescription.  Good luck, Jane

Jennifer Greer, MD · Answer

I would recommend calling your surgeon to ask this question. Every surgeon has a different routine for postoperative pain medication, but as you say, three Percocet will only get you through the first day. I usually give 3-4 days worth of pain medication, with the expectation that my patients will transition over to Motrin or Tylenol for pain by that point.

Diana Breister-Ghosh, MD · Answer

You have stated that you received only 3 Percocet for your pain management. This is most likely a mistake as most doctors would prescribe at least 3-5 days of pain pills after a breast augmentation. The average time that people use pain pills, I would say, is approximately 1-3 days. However, some people will need it up to 1-2 weeks. Therefore, I would contact your physician and request a slightly higher amount of pain pills to cover at least 2-3 days.

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

As mentioned by others, probably a mistake but there some doctors out there that feel you should be fine with Advil alone... I hope your surgeon isn't one of them.  Most surgeons provide enough narcotics for a few days and to also minimize the need for you to bother them after hours or on weekends when you run out, so its to the surgeon's advantage that you have enough.  Hope this was corrected before your procedure and that your procedure went well.

Pain medication after Breast Augmentation

Answers (17)

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