Pain pump after tummy tuck

Pain pump is not a standard procedure after tummy tuck. In my practice I inject a long acting pain medication (similar to what is in the pain pump) but does not require any tubes coming out of your body (as the pain pump does).

If your doctor is charging an extra $400 dollars for the pump, this is fair. That is basically the cost of the pump.

They are not making any profit on it. So it sounds like they are giving you the option of whether you want to use it or not.

I personally don’t think it is worth using and adds the extra hassle of having an extra tube coming out of your body and extra chance for a site of possible infection.

Pain pump after tummy tuck procedure

All of our patients go home the same day and we work closely with our patients to make sure that they are very comfortable after surgery. (David Shafer, MD, New York Plastic Surgeon)

Pain Pump Necessary After Tummy Tuck

Yes, it is common for a surgeon to charge an additional fee for a pain pump. Typically, when a surgeon’s representative quotes fees, there is a fee for the use of the facility, a fee for the anesthesiologist and the surgeon’s fees. Any “extras” (costly items that are not necessary, even if they are useful) are not covered in the standard facility fee.

Pain pump after tummy tuck operation

Hence, the surgeon offers the option to the patient of paying for the additional item if they would like to use it. (David Cangello, MD, New York Plastic Surgeon)

Pain pump

The pump is very costly and, obviously, your surgeon didn’t include it in his fee because it is an option, not a necessity. I personally have patients who are cost sensitive and I do not recommend the pump because, with good oral pain medication, patients do very well. (Robert L. Kraft, MD, New York Plastic Surgeon)

Pain pumps in tummy tuck surgery

Pain pump after tummy tuck abdominoplasty

When new technology comes up, the cost must be paid somehow. Either the surgeon will charge all his patients more, or charge just those patients who want to use the technology. Pain pumps are recommended because they reduce pain, but there is a cost to them. (Brent Moelleken, MD, Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon)

Need Pain Pump for Tummy Tuck

Pain pumps have been shown to decrease pain after surgery but are usually not required as there are other ways of controlling pain after a tummy tuck. The pumps do cost a fair amount of money so it is common to pay extra for this. If you feel that this is not worth the cost, then it is OK not to use it. (Karol A. Gutowski, MD, FACS, Chicago Plastic Surgeon)

Payinh for a pain pump after surgery

Many surgeons offer pain pumps after surgery, and most charge for them. The studies show decreased narcotic use for the first few days, but I haven’t noticed a huge difference in how patients describe their discomfort or how active they are in the first few days. Bottom line is that you may indeed benefit from it, but it’s not required, and only you can decide if it’s worth $400. (Dana Goldberg, MD, Jupiter Plastic Surgeon)