09.27.2023

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5 ways this non-opioid medication enhances surgery recovery in children

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Conversations with a physician about post-surgery pain management options can ease a lot of stress for parents. | Photo via Pexels

For the almost four million pediatric patients who annually undergo surgery, pain is a top concern for their parents. It’s important to discuss how to manage that pain, as it can significantly impact the overall surgery experience.

To help shed light on post-surgery pain management options, Chattanooga pediatric surgeon Dr. Lisa Smith is sharing five reasons this long-acting, non-opioid medication is her choice alternative to opioid prescriptions.

1. It’s a non-opioid that extends pain relief for the first few days after surgery.

Many parents share they worry about their child relying on opioids during recovery. The concern is valid since studies show three out of ten kids who receive opioid prescriptions misuse them in the future. The medication is a non-opioid that provides long-lasting pain relief + decreases the need for opioid prescriptions.¹

2. It minimizes unwanted side effects.

Aside from the risk of addiction, opioids often come with side effects that hinder recovery, such as nausea, vomiting, and constipation — or, more severely, respiratory depression or very slow breathing. Without those side effects, children often return to normal daily activities sooner.

3. Its long-acting, numbing properties reduce the need for opioid medications.

The non-opioid medication is a numbing agent injected during surgery that slowly delivers pain medication over the first few days (when pain is often the worst). Dr. Smith says she uses it in nearly every surgical procedure since it helps her accomplish a key goal: to reduce the number of pediatric opioid prescriptions.

4. It can shorten hospital stays.

Patients frequently go home sooner — which is great, because no one wants to spend added time in the hospital.

5. It is the first and only FDA-approved, long-lasting local anesthetic for children six years and older.

Given their risks and the alternative options available, Dr. Smith believes opioids do not need to be a primary pain management tool for children after surgery. The non-opioid medication is the first and only FDA-approved local anesthetic considered safe for children six years and older.

Learn more + ask your doctor

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¹ The clinical benefit of the decrease in opioid consumption was not demonstrated in the pivotal trials.

Events

Today, Sept. 27

Green Drinks | Wednesday, Sept. 27 | 5-7 p.m. | Finley Stadium, 1826 Reggie White Blvd., Chattanooga | Free+, RSVP | Learn about Finley Stadium’s sustainability efforts at this month’s session.

Thursday, Sept. 28

Business Brews | Thursday, Sept. 28 | 5:30-7 p.m. | Wanderlinger Brewing Co., 1208 King St., Chattanooga | Free+, RSVP | Expand your personal network while enjoying two-for-one drink specials, a popcorn bar, and themed trivia.
Blueberries 101 | Thursday, Sept. 28 | 6-8 p.m. | Crabtree Farms, 1000 E. 30th. St., Chattanooga | $25 | Learn tips and tricks on growing blueberries from Jessie Gantt-Temple of Feathers & Fruit.
“Peter Pan, the Musical” | Thursday, Sept. 28-Sunday, Oct. 1 | Times vary | Chattanooga Theatre Centre, 400 River St., Chattanooga | $22-$32 | See the enchanting world of Neverland take the stage with the accompaniment of song.

Friday, Sept. 29

Sleepyhead Main + Dodds Grand Opening | Friday, Sept. 29 | 7 a.m.-9 p.m. | Sleepyhead Coffee, 2602 E. Main St., Chattanooga | Free+ | Come out to Sleepyhead Coffee’s new location for coffee and mocktails.
The Arcadian Wild | Friday, Sept. 29 | 6 p.m. | Songbirds, 35 Station St., Chattanooga | $20-$25 | Listen to folk tunes from the band’s new album “Welcome.”
Morgan Wade | Friday, Sept. 29 | 8 p.m. | The Signal, 21 Choo Choo Ave., Chattanooga | $34.43 | See American country music singer Morgan Wade take the stage in the Scenic City.

Saturday, Sept. 30

Tennessee Whiskey Festival | Saturday, Sept. 30 | 1-5 p.m. | First Horizon Pavilion, 1826 Reggie White Blvd., Chattanooga | $40-$125 | This whiskey and spirit-tasting festival features distilleries from TN and beyond, local chefs from The Bitter Alibi, Civil Provisions, and The Daily Ration, and live music.*

Events calendar here

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News Notes

Civic

Chattanooga City Council recently approved a contract with Clark Construction Group to help efforts in preventing sewage overflows. The $46 million contract will go towards constructing five million gallons of extra storage for rainwater + wastewater. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)

Closing

After 30 years of supplying lumber, the Chattanooga Hardwood Center (2420 E. Main St.) will permanently close this week. Lumberjacks Tree Service will take over the lumber yard to supply locals with wood offerings. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)

Development

A $30 million townhouse complex has been proposed for the Ooltewah area. The 104-unit development will go on the 13-acre lot at 8417 Old Lee Hwy., pending county commission approval in October. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)

Outdoors

The Chattanooga Parks and Outdoors Department will close down the Coolidge Park Fountains on Monday, Oct. 2 for the season. You can still splash around for the rest of the week until Sunday, Oct. 1 at 8 p.m.

Cause

The Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer will host its annual “Kickin’ It for Kids with Cancer” soccer game on Friday, Oct. 6 at Lee University. As part of the fundraising event, folks in the Cleveland area can participate in various giveback nights. Learn more.

Awards

Local nonprofit La Paz has announced its winners for the 2023 Latino Leadership Awards. The awards highlight seven individuals + businesses who improve the community in various impactful ways.

Sports

The Chattanooga Red Wolves will bring back Beer Fest at its home game on Saturday, Sept. 30 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Your beer ticket package gets you admission to the game, a commemorative beer stein + unlimited samples. Get tickets.

Kids

Exploration awaits. The Creative Discovery Museum has opened registration for its Little Explorers program from Oct. 17 through Nov. 14. Over the course of five weeks, kiddos (ages 3-4) will be able to enjoy interactive educational sessions. Register online.

Number

11.9%. That is the rate that prices of two-bedroom units in Chattanooga have increased within the last year, according to a study by Zumper. The study also shows that the city was ranked 57th as the “most expensive rental market in the nation last month.”

Drink

Love whiskey? Join Vinovest’s exclusive whiskey investing community and own your own casks hassle-free. Sell casks for a profit, or opt to bottle them to drink.*

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🤺 En garde

Try out stage combat during the Scenic City Slam

Channel your inner Tybalt and Mercutio during the Scenic City Slam. | Photo provided by Battlekat Combat

If you’re in the theater scene, you may be familiar with stage combat — choreographed “pretend” fights that are meant to look real, but keep the actors unharmed. BattleKat Combat is a local stage combat company that has choreographed several fights for theaters in the area.

The company is run by husband and wife, Will Snyder + Rachel Craig, and this year they are teaming up with UTC’s Theatre Department to host Scenic City Slam, the first-ever stage combat workshop in Tennessee.

The workshops will be held on Saturday, Oct. 14 + Sunday, Oct. 15, featuring a large variety of classes in addition to combat (think: stunt work, intimacy, and stage movement) for all skill levels. Note: You must be 18 years or older to participate, but those underage are welcome to observe the classes.

Take a stab at combat fighting

Shop

Shop 9.27.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

Seasonal

Refresh your living room, bedroom, or outdoor area with a little autumn flair from our Six & Main brand partners. Shop the fall essentials collection now.

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Freshen any room with a new candle scent from Six & Main. From floral to spicy, you’ll find the perfect scent for your space. Shop now.

Award

It’s here — Allure’s 2023 Best of Beauty Award Winners list. Shop Best of Skin winners and Best of Hair winners to discover today’s breakthrough beauty technology.

Drink

Perfect for the -ber months: These stemless amber wine glasses that are dishwasher safe.

Home

Also perfect for the -ber months: This cozy thick knit blanket that’s buttery soft.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Kristen Templeton

From the editor

Next time you paddle out to Maclellan Island, check out some of the new picnic tables. Shout out to Wild Trails for their cleanup efforts + adding the new picnic spots for all of us to enjoy.

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