Pain Pumps for Pain Control After a Tummy Tuck?

Pain pumps are now very commonly used after tummy tucks.

They deliver a controlled, foolproof amount of local anesthetic (numbing medicine) directly into the area of fascial tightening.  There are no buttons to press.  The medicine is delivered over a period of three days, after which time most patients start to wean off their pain medication.  

Good pain control is not only good for patient comfort; it also prevents splinting and collapse of segments of the lung after surgery, and enables the patient to walk better.  Win-win.

"Pain pumps" such as the On-Q system have been in use for several years with tummy tucks and are very helpful. They infuse a numbing solution into the surgical area through tiny catheters over about 3 days. A newer alternative is Exparel, a slow-release numbing agent that does not require the catheter or reservoir bulb.

Pain pumps are used by many surgeons and work well. There are many ways for a surgeon to help reduce post operative pain for their patients. Exparel is a new medication you can ask your surgeon about as well.

Some surgeons use pain pumps with tummy tuck to reduce pain after surgery but there are alternative ways to get good anesthesia during the early postoperative period, and attention to surgical technique can also reduce postoperative pain.  The pain pump is  somewhat cumbersome, requires removal, and adds some expense.  In general I do not think it is necessary, but each surgeon has their own method, and I would discuss the issue with your surgeon.

We have used the On-Q pain pumps for nearly a decade on tummy tuck surgeries with excellent pain control. Recently, we have begun using Exparel- a long acting numbing medicine with good results as well.