I'm having a muscle repair as part of my tummy tuck procedure and I'm hearing stories of women waking up from surgery in excruciating pain. Is this normal and to be expected or do most patients wake up reasonably comfortable?
Answer: Waking up With Minimal Pain after Tummy Tuck with Muscle Repair After tummy tuck with muscle repair, most of patients wake up reasonably comfortable - there is a reason for this - the use of intraoperative injection of local anesthetic into the surgical area and muscles being repaired.For most of my patients, I use Celebrex and Acetominophen (does not make you drowsy and less chance of nausea) plus intraoperative use of Exparel. Exparel is a very long-acting local anesthetic that lasts approximately 3 or more days following injection and great for Tummy Tucks and other surgeries. Not only does it prevent pain but also most muscle spasms. It lasts the same length of time that a pain pump lasts and will therefore take the place of a pain pump. This means patients can enjoy the same effect of a pain pump, but without any catheters and no pain pump to carry around.Exparel will be available for those concerned about minimizing discomfort after surgeries such as tummy tuck and breast augmentation.Exparel costs the same as a pain pump and produces the same result but with less hassle and works great.Narcotics are used only as needed (as cause nausea, vomiting and constipation as frequent sided effects).
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Answer: Waking up With Minimal Pain after Tummy Tuck with Muscle Repair After tummy tuck with muscle repair, most of patients wake up reasonably comfortable - there is a reason for this - the use of intraoperative injection of local anesthetic into the surgical area and muscles being repaired.For most of my patients, I use Celebrex and Acetominophen (does not make you drowsy and less chance of nausea) plus intraoperative use of Exparel. Exparel is a very long-acting local anesthetic that lasts approximately 3 or more days following injection and great for Tummy Tucks and other surgeries. Not only does it prevent pain but also most muscle spasms. It lasts the same length of time that a pain pump lasts and will therefore take the place of a pain pump. This means patients can enjoy the same effect of a pain pump, but without any catheters and no pain pump to carry around.Exparel will be available for those concerned about minimizing discomfort after surgeries such as tummy tuck and breast augmentation.Exparel costs the same as a pain pump and produces the same result but with less hassle and works great.Narcotics are used only as needed (as cause nausea, vomiting and constipation as frequent sided effects).
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December 25, 2013
Answer: Pain after tummy tuck Thanks for your inquiry. I inject local into the skin and fascia and On-Q pain pumps to help my patient decrease their pain after a tummy tuck. Please discuss these strategies with your surgeon.
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December 25, 2013
Answer: Pain after tummy tuck Thanks for your inquiry. I inject local into the skin and fascia and On-Q pain pumps to help my patient decrease their pain after a tummy tuck. Please discuss these strategies with your surgeon.
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December 26, 2013
Answer: Pain after TT? it is normal to have pain after a TT. I used pain pumps for over ten years, and they work well, but they rarely alleviate the pain completely and narcotic pain medication is frequently required.Now I do not use pain pumps. Exparel is a long acting (3-4 days) anesthetic that is placed during surgery. No pumps, no clogged tubes, no pump problems at all. My patients wake up with little to no discomfort and typically take 0-6 pain pills the entire recovery, and I almost always include extensive liposuction as well with most procedures.
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December 26, 2013
Answer: Pain after TT? it is normal to have pain after a TT. I used pain pumps for over ten years, and they work well, but they rarely alleviate the pain completely and narcotic pain medication is frequently required.Now I do not use pain pumps. Exparel is a long acting (3-4 days) anesthetic that is placed during surgery. No pumps, no clogged tubes, no pump problems at all. My patients wake up with little to no discomfort and typically take 0-6 pain pills the entire recovery, and I almost always include extensive liposuction as well with most procedures.
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January 5, 2014
Answer: Waking up in pain? I don't want to scare you but tummy tucks with muscle tightening hurt. The keys are how the pain is controlled and how the patient responds.In my own practice I inject the abdominal wall muscles with a long acting local anesthesia before the tummy is closed. This doesn't take away all of the discomfort but it sure helps.Some doctors use pain pumps that inject local anesthesia after surgery as well. I use them on occasion myself but generally prefer not to leave extra tubes in my patients. Some patients are more tolerant of discomfort some are not. I tell my patient the goal with pain medication is to be comfortable, but not immobile and asleep for five days.For patients that are very concerned about post operative discomfort we discuss a non muscle tightening tummy tuck. This removes the same amount of loose skin but does not flatten the abdominal wall. It is a much easier recovery and makes sense for some patients although most still choose to have the muscles tightened.Discuss your concerns with your PS and ask how he or she manages postoperative discomfort. Best wishes
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January 5, 2014
Answer: Waking up in pain? I don't want to scare you but tummy tucks with muscle tightening hurt. The keys are how the pain is controlled and how the patient responds.In my own practice I inject the abdominal wall muscles with a long acting local anesthesia before the tummy is closed. This doesn't take away all of the discomfort but it sure helps.Some doctors use pain pumps that inject local anesthesia after surgery as well. I use them on occasion myself but generally prefer not to leave extra tubes in my patients. Some patients are more tolerant of discomfort some are not. I tell my patient the goal with pain medication is to be comfortable, but not immobile and asleep for five days.For patients that are very concerned about post operative discomfort we discuss a non muscle tightening tummy tuck. This removes the same amount of loose skin but does not flatten the abdominal wall. It is a much easier recovery and makes sense for some patients although most still choose to have the muscles tightened.Discuss your concerns with your PS and ask how he or she manages postoperative discomfort. Best wishes
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December 29, 2013
Answer: Pain After TT Excruciating pain after a tummy tuck is highly unusual. Anesthesiologists can perform a TAP Block, nerve block, to decrease abdominal pain post operatively. They will also administer narcotics, muscle relaxers, and other medications to make patients feel more comfortable.In my practice, we perform this procedure as an outpatient procedure in an accredited Medicare approved ambulatory surgery center with a Board Certified Anesthesiologist (MD/DO)Consult with a Board Certified Plastic SurgeonBest wishes
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December 29, 2013
Answer: Pain After TT Excruciating pain after a tummy tuck is highly unusual. Anesthesiologists can perform a TAP Block, nerve block, to decrease abdominal pain post operatively. They will also administer narcotics, muscle relaxers, and other medications to make patients feel more comfortable.In my practice, we perform this procedure as an outpatient procedure in an accredited Medicare approved ambulatory surgery center with a Board Certified Anesthesiologist (MD/DO)Consult with a Board Certified Plastic SurgeonBest wishes
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