Is Cosmetic Surgery Painful?

Factors Affecting Pain Tolerance and Strategies to Manage Pain

Cosmetic surgery is a branch of plastic surgery focused on enhancing an individual's physical appearance. Achieving the desired appearance may or may not require surgical intervention. Individuals often pursue aesthetic enhancements to address features that contribute to self-doubt.

There are many types of procedures that come under aesthetic cosmetic surgery that focus on a specific body part. You have to understand pain perception, considering the type of surgery that you are planning on undergoing. Irrespective of the type of surgery, like tummy tuck, breast augmentation, or facelift, all of them have different pain perception profiles.

There are multiple factors that play a role in contributing to one's pain perception around plastic surgery. Pain exists at both physical as well as psychological levels during procedures, and pain tolerance differs from patient to patient.

Administration of Anaesthesia

There is no surgery where anaesthesia is not used to ensure that pain is manageable and the patient has a seamless experience. There are four main types of anaesthesia: local, regional, general, and sedation (also known as monitored anaesthesia care).

They are curated to meet the requirements of different procedures and the needs of patients. However, this is the common choice of anaesthesia in cosmetic surgeries. Local anaesthesia is a type of anaesthesia that is suitable for procedures that are less invasive.

It is administered through an injection to numb an area of the procedure. This prevents the patient from feeling any pain while the procedure happens. This is most effective during certain procedures like blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) and liposuction.

Factors Affecting Pain Tolerance in Patients

Pain perception plays a significant role in deciding to undergo this procedure. Having an idea of such factors that trigger pain expectations will assist the patient in preparing for the same:

Physical Factors Affecting Pain Sensitivity

The physical factors that influence pain perception the most are an individual's pain threshold (it is the level at which an individual experiences pain). Therefore, you have to identify what your pain threshold is to understand its triggers.

Pain sensitivity also depends on the area under observation. Areas such as the abdominal region or the face are more sensitive compared to others. To address this, experts resort to appropriate nerve blockers, which numb these sensitive regions.  

Psychological Factors Affecting Pain Sensitivity

During the healing phase of a cosmetic procedure, one's mental strength plays a crucial role in impacting pain perception. Patients who have high-stress levels and often get anxious might experience more pain.

Therefore, to be more tolerable during the recovery period, you have to have a positive mindset and also good mental health. Medical experts do prescribe medication for the recovery phase; taking them in time will minimise pain episodes. If you have anxiety-related issues, consider consulting your surgeon for them to prescribe the right set of medications.

Strategies to Manage Pain Post-Strategy

Plastic surgeons share multiple strategies for post-surgery pain management. There are both medication and non-medical approaches to having a pain-free experience during this phase:

Medication to Manage Pain

The dosage and prescription of medication are determined by the level of pain that the patient is experiencing. 

Here are some common treatments:

• Experts prescribe pills like opioids or non-opioid alternatives to address moderate to severe pain.
• As pain diminishes and the recovery phase comes to an end, over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be taken.  
• If your pain is not following the usual path, it is a good idea to check in with your surgeon.

Non-medical Technique to Manage Pain

Surgeons also recommend non-medical ways to deal with post-surgery pain. These techniques help in enhancing your pain tolerance levels to promote speedy recovery. Here is a list of techniques to try:

• Practice relaxation techniques like slow and deep breathing or guided meditation.
• To minimise swelling or uneasiness, you can use cold compression.
• Physical movement is necessary. Begin by engaging in light activities and then increasing the intensity of tasks.
• Lastly, interact more with friends and family. This will manage stress hormones, which is good for fast recovery.

Pain perception is mitigated to an extent with the help of anaesthesia. During the recovery phase, keep in touch with your surgeon. 

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