Home Plastic Surgery News Less Pain and Recovery Time from Plastic Surgery with Fewer Narcotics

Less Pain and Recovery Time from Plastic Surgery with Fewer Narcotics

by Dr. Guillermo Quetell, MD, FACS No matter how skilled their surgeon is, most people have pain after surgery. Reducing that pain can shorten recovery time and improve patient outcomes. However, post-surgical pain control has traditionally relied on pill or IV narcotics, which can come with a host of side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, confusion and grogginess. Some patients claim that the narcotic side-effects are worse than coping with the pain itself. Since then, I have adopted what I believe is a better approach to post-surgical pain management, a system called ON-Q PainBuster. I’ve found since using it, my patients are virtually pain-free and respond more favorably. They take significantly less narcotics for pain and their length of stay in the hospital is typically reduced. Patients have been so pleased, that they now know to request that their surgery be performed with this method of pain relief. I use ON-Q on all breast reconstructions for mastectomy patients, breast reductions, body contouring procedures and even complex hand reconstruction to include fractures and replantations. The technique combines a continuous infusion of local anesthetic through small catheters (tubes) with a disposable delivery pump that has no electronics or moving parts, making it easy for the patient to use without worry. The device is worn in a small carrying pouch, and can be taken home with them for up to five days of pain relief following their surgery. By reducing length of stay in the hospital, nausea and vomiting, problems associated with larger amounts of narcotics, this pain control system has a myriad of significant benefits and is redefining recovery for patients. About Dr. Guillermo Quetell, MD, FACS Dr. Quetell is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who completed his training at New York-Presbyterian Hospital (Cornell’s and Columbia’s Medical Centers) in New York City. His practice emphasis is on breast, body contouring, cosmetic, and reconstructive surgery.  For more information, please visit www.DoctorGQ.com or call (315) 492-5421. < Prev   Next >