RoyKim

Breast Augmentation On-Q Pain Relief System

Conquer your pain...

Pain is the biggest concern of my patients when undergoing breast augmentation surgery, as well as other cosmetic surgical procedures. There are several techniques to alleviate pain during cosmetic procedures.

The On-Q pain relief system is a highly effective means of relieving post operative pain after breast augmentation. During your operation, I will insert very thin, tiny tubes into your area of surgery. These tubes are attached to a clear plastic bulb filled with numbing medicine. The bulb then "pumps" numbing medicine into your area of surgery for the next several days.

Use of the On-Q pain relief system allows you to feel less pain at the area of surgery, especially with implants placed under the muscle. The pain relief system also allows you to take fewer narcotic pain pills, reducing your nausea, constipation, and possible vomiting after surgery. Common numbing medications used in pain relief systems include bupivacaine (marcaine) and ropivacaine.

Placement of the Pain Relief System

There are 2 ways to alleviate your pain after surgery. Generally, I use the "surgical site" method:

• Surgical site infusion - I insert a tiny tube called a catheter into the site of surgery and program the pump to deliver a continuous flow of an anesthetic drug used to control the pain.
• Regional nerve block - I strategically place a catheter at the location of the nerves responsible for pain in the area of surgery, and program the pump to deliver a continuous flow of an anesthetic drug to block pain.

The system I use is the On-Q Classic. The On-Q Classic delivers local anesthetic for up to 3 days to the area of surgical pain without affecting the entire body part. For instance, ON-Q Classic could deliver the numbing medicine to the breasts only, and not the entire upper torso or your entire body.

Effectiveness & Safety

This form of innovative therapy has been shown in several medical studies to be tremendously effective for pain relief. It is accepted as a safe method of post operative pain management in breast augmentation. My patients can now control their post-surgery pain, take fewer pain pills orally, and return to their normal routine in less time.

To schedule an appointment or to learn more about the On-Q Pain Pump, please contact us today.

Learn more about Breast Augmentation:

• Read about the On-Q Pain pump for plastic surgery patients.
• Introduction to Breast enhancement
• Breast Implant Sizing
• Capsular Contracture