Is a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty painful?
Dr. Pittman–Waller takes special precautions to reduce or eliminate the amount of post–surgical pain associated with the abdominoplasty. She places an ON–Q pain pump during the operation and leaves it in place for the first three days after the surgery. The ON–Q has small catheters, little tubes that are attached under the skin through which a non–narcotic local anesthetic is continually pumped into the incision for three days. The anesthetic bathes the area and reduces the post–surgical pain during the time when it can be the worst. After three days, the ON–Q is removed and the remaining pain can be controlled with a combination of prescription and non–narcotic oral pain medicine like Tylenol. In sum, you should not feel excessive pain; it will be more of an ache or soreness. Only a few patients may find it necessary to take pain medication for two to three weeks after an abdominoplasty or tummy tuck to keep the discomfort under control. However, you may experience an occasional twing
