Is tramodal 50mg a safe and effective alternative to treat pain post op a full tummy tuck?

Tramadol is one common medication that is useful. There are many options. Even non-steroidals have much more effect than most patients realize. Best to discuss your concerns with your surgeon so you can agree on the plan BEFORE surgery.

Tramadol is definitely safe for use in patients to choose not to use narcotic analgesia.  By saying you're having a full abdominoplasty,  I anticipate you're having your muscle tightened which is the painful part of this operation.  One of the options is called a TAPP block which is a local anesthetic block to the  anterior abdominal wall musculature done under ultrasound guidance.  Once this is placed and especially if it is done with a medicine called Exparel, the tummy wall is numb for 3 days postsurgically when the greatest  pain is reported.  Some surgeons have ultrasound capability but most anesthesiologists can do this as well.  When I put these in my patients they typically don't require any narcotic use.  The medicine is expensive, but worth it.  If the anesthesiologist is doing it, they usually do it before the surgery, and will usually charge a fee for the procedure as well as the medicine.  I put in my own TAPP blocks during the operation with ultrasound guidance, and only charge for the medicine, but not placing it.