Is It Possible to Skip Narcotics After Plastic Surgery?

While the opioid epidemic has lessened to some degree, it has created an awareness of the dangers of narcotics. As such, some patients considering elective plastic surgery decide against it because of their desire to avoid narcotics after surgery.

Plus, some patients have a history of addiction and are reticent to use Percocet, Norco, Vicodin, or even Tylenol with Codeine because of the possibility of dependency.

So then is it possible to skip narcotics after plastic surgery? Given that everyone experiences pain differently, there’s no easy answer. For some, yes. But even for those who can’t, the focus has shifted toward more responsible use and mindful prescribing of opioids.

What to Expect from Pain Management

Plastic surgeons know that the amount of pain their patients experience must be balanced with safety when taking pain medications. Striking this balance doesn’t necessarily mean that, as a patient, you will feel no pain. It’s a matter of determining the level of pain you can tolerate.

Your surgeon is going to prescribe medication only for acute pain related to your surgery (and/or any injury that may have caused it). Medications serve to primarily decrease inflammation and block pain. More than one medication may be used and your regimen may change as you start to heal or if side effects are problematic. These are all the things your board-certified plastic surgeon will discuss with you.

It’s important to know at the onset that your surgeon will not prescribe medication for chronic pain.

So Can You Skip Narcotics After Plastic Surgery?

As mentioned above, every patient has a different pain threshold. This is taken into consideration by a board-certified plastic surgeon when managing and addressing pain management.

As far as narcotics and opioids, plastic surgeons now prescribe far fewer pills than in the past. These are intended for only extreme pain at the beginning of the recovery process. Pain can be further alleviated by prescribing a long-acting non-opioid pain reliever such as Exparel which is injected during surgery. Doing this reduces the quantity of opioids consumed after surgery as Exparel can give two to three days of pain control postoperatively.

That said, there are occasions when the post-op period can be managed without narcotics. Again, for more minor procedures or in cases where patients have a high pain threshold, there are options for non-narcotic pain control. Some surgeons use an NSAID the night before like Celebrex that doesn’t cause bleeding. Another option is Toradol. This strong, non-opioid, non-steroidal causes minimal to no post-op bleeding and can be used for five days after surgery.

They may also recommend gabapentin the night before the surgery to alter the pain signals carried by your nerves. Then local anesthetics (such as lidocaine or Bupivacaine) may be used to numb the tissue and Tylenol might suffice for pain.

Additional Ways to Manage Pain

If you’re determined to go without narcotics and your surgeon thinks it’s a do-able situation, there are additional ways you can help manage your pain. For example, muscle relaxers such as Valium can be used to help muscle relaxation after a tummy tuck.

But no matter what procedure you have, the first thing you’ll want to do is stay ahead of the pain. If you’re using a non-narcotic pain reliever and/or local anesthetic, don’t wait until the pain is severe before you take them. This is going to make it harder to control.

Also, get plenty of sleep. It’s going to speed healing and reduce your pain. Sitting or lying in one place for too long will exacerbate the pain so plan on changing positions with some regularity. And if you have to sneeze, cough, or do anything that can cause stress on the surgery site, brace or hold it.

As with all aspects of life, keep your stress levels low. Steer clear of people and situations that can kick up stress. You can also release stress with physical activity. You need to consult with your surgeon about how much is too much though.

Finally, alternative pain management relaxation methods like stretching, therapeutic massage, and deep breathing can calm pain.

Be Completely Forthcoming with Your Plastic Surgeon

More and more people are opting out of plastic surgery because they’re worried about using narcotics. That’s easy to understand.

So if you’re hoping to skip narcotics after plastic surgery for any reason, be sure to insist on a board-certified plastic surgeon only.

Contact us today to set up a consultation with one of our highly trained and skilled surgeons. He or she can discuss your options and what a pain management plan might look like for you.