Opiate Sparing Surgery
While some pain after surgery is to be expected, we make every effort to control and resolve your pain. There are several options to manage and relieve pain. Many types of medicines are available, one among them is opiates.
An opiate is a drug naturally derived from the flowering opium poppy plant and contains opium and its derivatives. Few examples of opiates include heroin, morphine, and codeine. Opiates may be used as an analgesic to resolve pain post operation. Though these medications are very effective they can be addictive and may be misused. Statistics reveal that 1 in 20 people receiving opiates for acute pain starts using it chronically.
Some of the common side effects of long-term opiate use include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constipation
- Sluggishness/sedation
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Respiratory depression (difficulty breathing)
- Pruritus (severe itching of the skin)
- Abdominal cramps
- Difficulty passing urine
- Sweating
Over the past few years, Dr. Sugarman has developed and implemented medication regimens that have allowed for excellent surgical pain control with minimal use of opiates. Many times, patients have found that they do not need any opiates to have a very comfortable recovery! This has resulted in decreased risk of opiate abuse as well as the potential for faster participation in postoperative rehabilitation and return to normal activities.
If you are having planning on or need to have a surgical procedure and are interested in the possibility of an opiate free experience book an appointment today!
