Pain Pump

My surgeon is offering a "pain pump" that will last 72 hours post op.  I was talking with his nurse today about pain control for my 4 hour car ride home.

Did anyone have a pain pump?  Is it worth the $350 it is going to cost'  I'm having brachioplasty and tummy tuck with hip bone to hip bone incision.

I had one in the hospital... didn't need it after about 24 hours from surgery.

However, I had only a 30 minute ride home and the roads were good.

I had one, but not really sure how much it helped me vs if I didn't have it... Mine was only for about 24 hours from what I was told. 

That's a long car ride home - you may want to consider it. 

I had one for 72 hours when I had an extended tummy tuck.  Don't know what it would have been like without it but with it I had no problems.  For me with any pain medication, I'd recommend starting a stool softener several days before your surgery but check with your doctor.  Good luck

HI..I posted a question about the pain pump a day or so ago, as well...I decided on the pain pump after posting here and being convinced it sounded like a good idea....just in case.

I will have a three and half hour ride, so I want to be prepared.

When I had my back surgery, three years ago, I would have loved to have had a pain pump...The surgery itself did not bother me..It was the excoriating muscle spasms...even with muscle relaxers, those things HURT..!!! I NEVER want to have to go through that again...I have not seen anyone post about muscle spasms with the lower body lift...but I do wonder...Lord, I hope not..!!

The best to you as you follow your path to a better you..!

cyndy

I had the pain pump when I came home and I do not know what I would have done without it.  Yes, I had pain meds in the hospital but the home recovery for 72 hours post-op would have been difficult without it.  I had a tummy tuck with muscle repair.  I felt like I had done 300 sit-ups without a break.  That pump was worth it's weight in gold.  I did use a stool softner though because it is a narcotic and I would have hated that problem too!  Good luck to you and happy healing!!

Thanks for  your comments.  I already take 2 stool softners in am and at bedtime, along with probiotics, Benefiber, raw fruit & veggies, etc.

I asked to not have antibiotics preventative - but was told I would have IV in hospital with antibiotics and 14 days oral ones at home,  Dang - I didn't want to wipe out all my good bacteria in my gut!!

I think they use Marcaine in the pain pump.  They were telling me it isn't  as constipating as some narcotics.

I've told the surgeon office I do want the pain pump.

Thanks again for helpng me.

 You must get the pain pump!  You have a long car ride.  I am two weeks post op...I had the pain pump which lasted three days, it was great!   worth a million dollars, so 350 is a bargain.   took the edge off and helped during those first very painful days.  Good to prepare in advance for the constipation, the oral pain meds you'll be given will cause that, and you don't need any extra pain or stress during  your recovery.

one more thought,  I am prone to yeast infection when taking antibiotics...so my doctor perscribed a med for that in the event i needed it.  Sure enough,  I ended up with a yeast infection about a week after my surgery.  I did have the preventative antibiotics, but if you are prone, even the antiibiotics that you get intraveniously, may cause it.  Just another thing to consider.  

good luck to you!