Pain relief after surgery keeps you comfortable and makes your recovery go more smoothly. However, narcotic pain medications can have serious side effects and are known to be potentially addictive. Exparel is a non-opioid pain relief injection that controls post-surgical pain without all the risks and concerns associated with narcotics.
What is the Exparel Non-Opioid Pain Relief Injection?
Opioids and narcotics have been the primary methods of post-surgical pain relief since they came into wide use. However, these medications come with significant issues. They come with many side effects, including sedation, fuzzy thinking, and impaired coordination. Exparel is a pain relief injection given during surgery to control pain without narcotics. It can be used in combination with or in place of other pain medications.
How Long Does Exparel Last?
Exparel is injected directly into the area where you would experience pain after surgery. It can be injected before you even wake up and takes effect almost immediately. The area will become numb, preventing you from feeling discomfort. Exparel lasts about three days. As a result, it will carry most people through the most uncomfortable post-surgical days and minimize or eliminate the need for oral pain medications.
Your Longwood Plastic Surgery team will explain how long you can expect Exparel to work and whether you will receive any other pain medications. We are available to guide you during the post-surgical period, so contact us if you have any questions or are experiencing more discomfort than expected.
What is Exparel Used For?
Exparel is FDA-approved for use in children and adults for post-surgical pain relief. At LPS, it is used as a local anesthetic, which means it is injected into the surgical area to numb it for several days. It can also be used as a nerve block for surgery on the arms and hands.
Exparel can be used in almost every area where your LPS surgeons perform procedures. During your consultation, your surgeon will discuss your pain relief options and determine which fits your needs, concerns, and lifestyle. Many people prefer Exparel since it will not affect the clarity of their thinking or their physical coordination.
Am I a Good Candidate for Exparel?
Exparel is safe for most people, and it is an option after most of our surgical procedures. Good candidates should understand all the risks and benefits of these non-opioid pain relief injections. Exparel is an excellent option for anyone who wants to avoid the potential side effects of narcotics.
You may not be a good candidate if you have had a reaction to other numbing medications, such as those used by dentists. You should also not have Exparel if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Certain heart conditions or other medical conditions may affect whether you can have Exparel.
Take the Next Step
Interested in learning about Exparel non-opioid pain relief injections? Schedule your consultation with Longwood Plastic Surgery today by calling our Brookline office at (617) 383-6250. We serve the Brookline and Greater Boston area with distinction.