The No Narcotics Approach to Plastic Surgery
While you may have a strong desire to improve your appearance, you may be hesitant to schedule plastic surgery because you are concerned about the amount of discomfort that you might experience. Some patients are also worried about taking narcotics after surgery, due to a previous history of side effects or abuse of these medications. Fortunately, Dr. Rappaport can reduce much of your trepidation by creating a more comfortable surgical experience overall. Using a revolutionary perioperative medication protocol, we can eliminate your need for narcotics during and after surgery, without compromising your comfort level throughout.
Importance of Minimizing Discomfort
Keeping you comfortable after surgery is about more than creating a positive experience for you, as essential as this factor might be. Patients that do not experience significant discomfort during their recovery process tend to heal more quickly. They also have a lower risk of some complications commonly associated with surgery, such as blood clots and pneumonia. The reduced risk is often because less discomfort means you are more likely to be up and active after your procedure, promoting healthy blood flow and faster healing.
Patients that can return to their daily routine promptly are more likely to feel their surgical experience was a positive one overall. This approach is a twofold one that involves reducing discomfort before your surgery even begins, as well as eliminating the need for opioid use during and after your procedure, along with the many adverse side effects associated with these medications.
Side Effects and Risks Associated with Opioids
Due to the ability of opioids to minimize even severe pain for some patients, these medications have become frequently prescribed for all types of surgical procedures including cosmetic surgery. However, many patients find the risks and side effects associated with opioids far outweigh their potential benefits. Possible side effects of narcotic drugs include:
- Constipation
- Nausea and vomiting
- Drowsiness
In fact, patients are usually advised to avoid driving and operating heavy machinery while taking opioids, which may impact your ability to perform daily tasks after your surgery.
While the side effects are uncomfortable enough, they are not usually the biggest concern surrounding opioid use. These medications are highly addictive, as evidenced by what has been called the opioid abuse epidemic. A recent analysis from Blue Cross Blue Shield found that opiate use, including legally prescribed opioid in addition to illicit street drugs, increased by 493 percent from 2010 to 2016. Many of the people that end up addicted to these drugs begin by taking the medication as prescribed by a physician to treat pain.
A Preferred Approach
The good news is you can now have a positive, comfortable surgical experience without the use of any narcotics. Dr. Rappaport and others in his field are pioneering a new approach in medication protocol that eliminates the need for these potent pain medications and additionally protects against post -operative nausea and vomiting associated with general anesthesia. This perioperative method begins the process before your surgery and continues for as long as necessary afterward to minimize discomfort throughout the recovery process.
Dr. Rappaport begins the process using analgesics before surgery, which enhance patient comfort without resorting to narcotics. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories can also be prescribed immediately following your procedure. In addition, Dr. Rappaport can extend the effects of the anesthesia you are given during surgery as well to extend the benefits and your comfort level even after you return home from your procedure.
Don’t shy away from plastic surgery simply because you are concerned about your comfort during the process. Choose a surgeon that is committed to providing you with the best possible surgical experience by using state-of-the-art medication protocols that will minimize discomfort, nausea and vomiting and speed your recovery. Contact Dr. Rappaport at the Houston Center for Plastic Surgery today at 855-853-7926.
