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Pain Management After Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills
By admin | July 20, 2009
Pain Management After Cosmetic Surgery in Los Angeles
Postoperative pain varies from patient to patient. It depends on the procedure. Operations that are performed on tissues or areas that are in motion tend to be a little more sensitive. Therefore, tummy tucks can be a bit more uncomfortable because every time one sits up or changes position, there is the requisite tightening of the abdominal muscles and some discomfort. Breast augmentation and breast reduction tend to be less uncomfortable. Likewise, nasal cosmetic surgery and nearly all the facial procedures carry little postoperative pain burden because there is less movement.
However, the pain threshold is different from patient to patient. The discomfort can also be a function of swelling and bruising. For that reason, cosmetic surgeons will typically provide for the patient anti-swelling and anti-bruising medication and, of course, pain medication. The best indication for what the ideal pain medication is for a given patient is their past experience.
The surgeon should ask: “Have you ever had previous surgery, and if so, what pain medications did you take that were effective?” This will be a guide. Our experience has been that for most patients, mid-level pain medication such as Tylenol with codeine or Vicodin suffice.
For those patients in whom Vicodin or Tylenol with codeine are not satisfactory, the practice can provide stronger pain medication. Typically, this is only necessary for a day or two. Please remember that in the postoperative period, when one is taking narcotic pain medications and less active than usual, there is a greater chance of developing constipation and so that should be foreseen and properly addressed.
Topics: Cosmetic Surgery, Home, Rhinoplasty, Uncategorized | No Comments »