How painful is liposuction with tummy tuck?

Question

I went for a tummy tuck consult today. It will require Lipo on flanks, tummy, and outer thighs. I don't do well with narcotic pain meds and am afraid of pain control. Can you please tell me what to expect? I am very scared.

Geuris Cruz Quiroz, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. 
A question quite difficult to answer if you ask a doctors forum, liposuction is usually more painful compared to a tummy tuck but just as there are different patients, there are different levels of pain and all patients handle a different one. 
There’s too many option to help the patients like you whom don’t handle well the pain medications, talk with your Surgeon and share with him/her your concern about this and get his/her recommendations. Nothing to worry about this can be handle from your Surgeon staff.
Best of luck in your surgery and recovery time.
Dr. Quiroz

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

There are many pain medications that may be appropriate.  Each PS will prescribe the medication that he/she is most comfortable with and that seems best for each patient. 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.  Exparel can be injected at the time of closure for 72 hour pain relief.  Every surgeon wants his/her patients to have a satisfactory and safe experience. The PS needs to know what your concerns are so that he/she and the anesthesiologist can address your comfort and lessen your anxiety before surgery.  Select your PS based upon results generated, before and after photos, and patient reviews, not exclusively on the use of Exparel (which my patients think is too expensive) or a pain pump (patients do not want to carry it around for days).

William Bruno, MD · Answer

Most patients will use pain relievers for three to five days after a tummy tuck. There are several non-narcotic options available which can be combined with muscle relaxants. Also, you can ask if your surgeon can use Exparel, which is a long acting local anesthetic that can be injected at the time of surgery to alleviate pain for the first 72 hours.Best wishes,Dr.Bruno

Christine Rodgers, MD · Answer

HI, In my opinion, I do not think that the lipo is as painful as the TT. If my patients complain of pain, they say that it is the tightness and soreness from the muscle tightening. Many of them say that it feels like they had a C section all over again. With that said, every person has a different pain tolerance so it is difficult to say what you would experience. Most surgeons use various types of pain regimens to reduce the pain, so I think that there are many ways to control the pain. Discuss these concerns with your PS before having the surgery.Best Wishes,Dr. Christine Rodgers

Miguel Delgado, MD · Answer

Each surgeon has their own protocol for pain management. For my patients I use Experal injection at the end of surgery which keeps the patient comfortable for 3 to 4 days. Most patients say that liposuction isn't that painful in recovery, that it feels more like sore muscles after a strenuous exercise than pain. Be sure to select a board certified plastic surgeon and discuss your concerns with your surgeon. Good luck.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear littleitaly75,
Recovery time is approximately 2 weeks. Vigorous activities should be limited for at least six weeks. During your postoperative care, your plastic surgeon should provide specific instructions for your individual recovery. Following these instructions can help reduce post-surgery complications as well as speed up recovery time.
Daniel Barrett, MD

Harold Bautista, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank thank you for posting your question. In my practice I take the comfort of every patient very seriously. For that reason I usually recommend for all my abdominoplasty patients intraoperative injection with exparel. this is a substance that acts like novocaine but instead of lasting only a few hours this will last approximately 72 hours 3 days. Since I started using exparel my patients narcotic requirements have diminished significantly. Many of them are able to switch to Advil or Tylenol in approximately three days. Please seek a board certified plastic surgeon for your consultation.

R. Stewart Collins, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question! Everyone tolerates pain differently. Adding liposuction to a tummy tuck will not increase your pain significantly. In my practice, I use Exparel during surgery to help manage patients' pain. Exparel will numb the pain for the first few days following your procedure. I recommend discussing your concerns with pain control and narcotics with your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. Best of luck!

Ali Heidari, DO, FACS, FACOS · Answer

Thank you for your question. When liposuction is added to tummy tuck procedure, it rarely adds to the pain. Usually concomitant liposuction will produce better results and does not significantly add to the post operative pain or downtime.
Good Luck
Dr. Ali Heidari, FACOS, FACS

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Adding liposuction to your tummy tuck will not greatly increase your discomfort during recovery.  You may want to discuss adding Exparel with your surgeon.  This medication is administered during surgery and helps to manage pain during the first few days of recovery.  It works well with other prescription pain medications.  Preparation is the key to managing your pain.

How painful is liposuction with tummy tuck?

Answers (15)

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