All About Breast Augmentation Pain Pumps

Pain Pumps After Breast Augmentation Surgery

About Pain Pumps

A pain pump is a non-electrical device that continuously delivers pain medication directly to the surgical site. The pain medications are administered via very small tubes, or catheters. These catheters are inserted at the end of your surgery, and is usually worn for a couple of days. Common pain medications used in pain pumps includes bupivacaine (marcaine), and ropivacaine. Pain pumps are 100% portable, and can be worn anywhere, except for in situations where the pump will be wet. This is not recommended. Keep in mind, however, that pain pumps are not commonly used after breast augmentation surgery. It has not become "mainstream" at this point in time.

If you notice any of the following, please contact your doctor:
 

• increase in pain
• redness,swelling,pain, or discharge at catheter site
• skin rash or hives
• excessive excitability, restlessness, or extreme drowsiness
• Side effects from the medication, including: dizziness, blurred vision, ringing in ears, metallic taste in mouth, numbness & tingling of the mouth and lips, nausea, vomiting, and/or any other side effects that you do not feel are normal.
• It should be noted that you may experience numbness around the incision site, so you should be careful, so as to avoid injury to the area.

Pain pumps should be kept dry. They should not used while swimming, showering, or bathing.

Common pain pumps used after surgery are the Stryker Pain Pump and the On-Q Pain Pump.

Below are photos of a subject using the Stryker Pain Pump.
 

 
 

The photo below shows the catheter, which is used to deliver medication from the pain pump to the surgical site.

 

A different subject using the On-Q Pain Pump.