Friday, November 19, 2010

What is a pain pump?

A pain pump is a simple device that is used to deliver pain medication to a surgical site. The medication is delivered through a very narrow tube that the surgeon has placed in the area during surgery. The tube or catheter, exits from the site and is attached to the pump portion of the device that is external.

The pain medicine reservoir portion of the pump is filled with a numbing medicine. The pump slowly delivers the medicine into the catheter to the site for the first few days post-op.

The pain pump can be set to automatically deliver the numbing medication or it can be controlled by the patient. This gives a slow, very consistent delivery of medication straight to the surgical site. This is an advantage of this type of pain management because it works only on the surgical site and has no effects on other parts of the body. Some people are sensitive to pain medication and suffer from intestinal distress or drowsiness from pain medication.

Narcotic pain medications that are taken orally have the disadvantage of needing time for pain relief to take effect. Recovery without the global effect of nausea, constipation or sleepiness can be more pleasant and less traumatic.
Surgeons often use pain pumps for patients who are very motivated to get back to work quickly or only have a limited time window for recovery. The use of the pump ensures these patients that they won't have much pain and will be as comfortable as possible during recovery. Many people work from home or are self-employed and can manage to work for a few hours a day the day after surgery with a pain pump.
Prior to the invention of pain pumps, patients would require IV pain medicine or oral pain pills every 4 to 6 hours. A patient with a pain pump will require fewer narcotic pain pills for a much shorter duration.
The removal of the pain pump is very simple and depending on the pump and the type of surgery you have had, some patients can remove it themselves. You surgeon may tell you that they will remove it for you in the office at a post-op visit. This is a very quick, painless procedure to remove the device.
Plastic surgeons use a pain pump for different types of breast surgery, tummy tucks and other operations where a surgical pocket is created. Your plastic surgeon can explain how pain pumps can help your recovery from surgery.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Does Your Obstetrician offer Breast Augmentation?

Men and women looking for information on plastic surgery should read a recent article written by Dr. Patti Flint. This Scottsdale plastic surgeon explains physician accreditation with the American Board of Medical Specialties and how not all plastic surgeons are created equal. While it can be confusing for patients, it is important to learn about your physician’s training and experience. Potential patients seeking qualified doctors for their elective cosmetic surgery should be sure to research their options and keep a few key points in mind.

Dr. Flint reminds readers that state medical licensure does not limit a physician to practicing a particular specialty. For example, just because an obstetrician completed medical school with honors, it does not mean he or she is going to be very good at breast augmentation. If you are interested in getting the best results from a particular cosmetic surgery, ensure that the doctor performing the surgery is accredited in that field and has several years of experience. Both of those criteria will go a long way to ensuring you are happy with the post-operative recovery right after the surgery and maintenance of results for years to come.

Alternatively, selecting a physician that is licensed in a non-surgical field or doesn’t have extensive experience in the procedure you are interested in, may result in dangerous side effects, poor wound healing, or even irregular or asymmetrical results. For patients in Scottsdale, plastic surgery a little research and learning goes a long way. Invest your time before you invest your money.

Monday, November 8, 2010

Breast Augmentation Surgery: Getting Started

Today you can change any part of yourself that you don't like from your feet to your face. The most popular plastic surgery today is female breast augmentation. Most women want this surgery so that they can look and feel more feminine.

Some women are just naturally small breasted. Some have gone through childbirth and nursing has left their breasts deflated. Other women have mismatched breasts (one noticeably larger than the other). Whatever the reason breast augmentation surgery can give women the look and self confidence they desire.

The first step in breast augmentation surgery is selecting your doctor. The most important thing is board certification. Make sure the doctor you selected is board certified in plastic surgery, not some other medical specialty. Ask others who've had surgery who they've used and if they're happy with the result.

The next step involves consultation with the doctors you've chosen. You want to meet several surgeons to be sure that there is someone that you feel comfortable enough with to entrust with your surgery. Communication is very important in a doctor/patient relationship and you need to feel that the surgeon understands your wishes and can allow you to at ease with the process. Often part of the consultation process involves "trying on" your new breast implants. This can achieved with a special bra or through a computer simulation. Both methods allow you to try different size implants and with photography you can compare your before/after photos along with comparing different sizes. Patient often describe this as the most exciting part of the process.

Once you've selected your surgeon, the office will schedule your surgery. You should be prepared to take 1-2 weeks to recuperate after your breast augmentation. Recovery is different for everyone but generally if you have a non-physical job you can return 7-10 days after surgery. The decision to have plastic surgery is very personal. But once your doctor has given the okay to resume your normal activities, you can enjoy your curvier figure and shop for new clothes with more confidence and pride.