Pain pumps: Cosmetic surgery with minimal pain

Modified on | by Dr. Ricardo L. Rodriguez

Plastic Surgery doesn’t have to be painful. You can have a pain pump which will greatly reduce pain, reduce nausea, and result in a much quicker recovery.

The pain pump dispenses local anesthetic to the operative area so it stays numb. Since the area is numb, you will feel less pain, and require less narcotics post operatively.

What are the components of a pain pump?

Think of the pain pump as having two main parts:

  • ball with the medication
  • long tubes

Ball with the medication: The ball holds a local anesthetic and the long thin tubes feed the anesthetic into the operative site. The pain pump is placed into position at the end of your procedure.

pain pumps result in less pain, less nausea, and faster recovery – Dr. Rodriguez in Baltimore

Long tubes: The long thin tubes are inserted into the surgical wound space. For example, during a breast augmentation, the tubes are inserted through the armpit and placed next to the implant. The ball stays outside of your body.

When is the pain pump inserted?

The pain pump is assembled at the end of the procedure by the surgeon. The long tubes are oriented to dispense the local numbing medication to the operative area. As soon as you go into the recovery room, the ball pumps local anesthetic into the operated area which helps to constantly numb the pain. My patients usually wear the pain pump for 2-5 days.

Advantages of using a pain pump with cosmetic surgery

The use of a pain pump following surgery results in less pain, less nausea, and a much faster recovery. I believe so strongly that pain pumps are an important part of the recovery that I offer all pain pumps ‘at cost’ to the patient. We only charge what it costs us to purchase the pump from the manufacturer. I would say that 90% of all of my patients opt for the pain pump for surgeries such as Breast augmentation, Tummy tuck, and Body lift.

Ask your surgeon to include a pain pump

If you are having a cosmetic surgery, be sure to get the pain pump. The only other alternative is an Exparel injection at the end of surgery. If the pain pump or Exparel injection are not offered to you as part of your surgery, ask for it! No patient should have to endure pain, when a simple non-narcotic solution is available.

(originally published July 22, 2009)

By Dr. Ricardo L. Rodriguez MD Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Cosmeticsurg Baltimore, Maryland Ricardo L. Rodriguez on American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

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13 thoughts on “Pain pumps: Cosmetic surgery with minimal pain”

  • ema says:

    thank you! i am very familiar with marcaine and lidocaine since i use it in the clinic to do laceration repairs. i am a physician associate. it is sooo easy to work on other people, but to have something done to myself and have pain is another story. it is the pain part....i do not do well at all with percocet, etc. thank you so much!

    • Dr. Ricardo L Rodriguez says:

      Ema: I use Marcaine. It is a local anesthetic and allergic reactions are very rare. We use marcaine during the local anesthetic part of the procedure so if the patient was allergic we would know way before putting the pain pump on.

  • Tonya says:

    UPDATE - GOT THE PAIN PUMP. Had breast aug. 3-31-10 at 9am. 100% pain free until midnight of same day. took my first pain med then. At 4am took another pain med. The pain I was feeling was upper chest because I had implants under muscle. However 75% of my breast AND surgery site was numb due to pain pump. Then 36 hours later the on-q pain pump empty. About 50% of my breast hurt at 24 hour post op and I have only taken 4 percocet. Went to Dr. 4-2-10 and he removed pain pump and put fresh dressing on. When I got home I could feel 100% by poking my skin. I am definetly swollen so They feel really tight. I could not imagine not having the pain pump. Key thing to remember are that the pump works but doesn't cover 100% of the pain, but nearly. AND be sure to wrap an ace bandage tightly over bra. This helps me with my pain and swelling.

    • Dr. Ricardo L Rodriguez says:

      Tonya: Thanks for the feedback! I usually leave the pain pump on four days (96 hrs), and if the patient wants I'll refill it for a couple more days. I also agree with you that control of swelling is essential. Good luck with your recovery!

  • Tonya says:

    Found your website while searching for information about "pain pump" AND I watched your video. I am having breast augmentation very soon and I paid for the pump. So I am anxious to see how it works. You gave good advice but I would suggest having actual patients tell their experience with the pain pump. Not just you telling the story but the patients themselves telling the story. This would help ease the minds of those with upcoming surgeries. Thank you for having videos to watch on your website. I found your website to educate more on cosmetic than any I have found online thus far. Thanks for the Pain Pump recommendation mostly.

    • Dr. Ricardo L Rodriguez says:

      Tonya: Thanks for the kind words. Spread the word! As an aside, it is hard to get patients online with testimonials. Even getting consents for pictures is hard enough! Good luck with your breast augmentation, and perhaps you could send us your own experience so other patients can benefit!

  • LEB SOUL says:

    I would like to thank you for letting us know about the pain pump, after, 7 surgeries, I never knew about it. I would like to ask yo a question, I had a histerectomy 8 months ago, with lots of complications, absess, infections, i was operated 3 times in one month, now I was diagnoses with a rectus diastesis, not only it looks horrible, with this huge ball in there, but it's also very painful and it burns, Dr's won't operate me unless I loose some weight, any chance that someone could operate me without loosing the weight? If you respond me it will truly be appreciated

    • Dr. Ricardo L Rodriguez says:

      The reason some surgeons will not operate on you is that after a history of infections there are bound to be a lot of adhesions between the bowels and the abdominal wall. During surgery, it is possible to injure the bowels despite the most careful techniques. In addition, if you are overweight, the contents of your abdomen tend to "push out" against the abdominal hernia repair. This can cause the repair to separate after surgery. I would strongly advise you to lose some weight, as your weight problem is now interfering with your normal life.

  • Palm Springs Cosmetic Surgeon says:

    The information in this article is very helpful, especially if you are about to have a plastic/cosmetic procedure. I think the growing numbers of patients who have used the pain pump proves its worth.

    • Dr. Ricardo L Rodriguez says:

      Thanx for the feedback! I only hope it starts getting used more in other specialties. Orthopedic surgeons here in Baltimore are beginning to use it more,and General surgeons are beginning to inquire about it.

  • Dee says:

    Hello, Dr. Rodriguez I just wanted to let you know how impressed I am with all the information you have provided to me with regards to plastic surgery (especially tummy tuck). Since I discovered your website by surfing in the internet I have been a fan of yours. I really enjoy watching all the informational videos that you have posted and followed your website from top to bottom. The pain pump method is an awesome idea as I still remember the extreme pain I had with my last c-section. I wish I had a pain pump then! I would love to visit your place, but it is a little too far for me. I am interested in a tummy tuck, breast augmentation and liposuction of my inner thighs. Would you be able to recommend a plastic surgeon in the Central Florida area ? I have seen many, many websites of plastic surgeons but I just do not know which one to choose. I thought that perhaps you would know of someone in this area that you could recommend. Please help! Thanks. Dee

    • admin says:

      We do know Dr. David Halpern in Tampa. We trust him as a person and as a fellow professional. We also have many patients from out of town, including such places as London, UK, Alaska, California, etc. Because of our location, our prices are very competitive, and many patients find it cost effective despite the travel costs. Email kelly@cosmeticsurg.net for a quote, at the very least you can use it as a reference when you look around. When you do call Dr. Halpern let him know I sent you his way.