Zynrelef vs Exparel: The Battle of Postoperative Pain Control After Robotic Sleeve Gastrectomy

This study is focused on comparing two different medicines, Zynrelef and Exparel, which are used to manage pain after surgery. Specifically, it looks at people who have undergone robotic sleeve gastrectomy, a type of weight-loss surgery. The goal is to see which medicine is better at controlling pain after the operation. Both Zynrelef, which combines bupivacaine and meloxicam, and Exparel, a liposomal form of bupivacaine, are already approved by the FDA for pain relief after surgery. Understanding which option controls pain more effectively could help improve recovery and reduce the need for additional pain medication, such as opioids, which can have side effects. Participants in the study will be randomly assigned to receive either Zynrelef or Exparel at the site where their surgery incisions are closed. The study will assess how well these medicines manage pain by using a pain rating scale over the first 72 hours after the surgery, both while in the hospital and at home. Additionally, the study will track how much opioid medication is used by participants, as reducing opioid use is beneficial for recovery. The cost of each drug will also be analyzed for the hospital's internal purposes, although this information will not affect the participants directly. Overall, this study aims to find the most effective way to manage pain after sleeve gastrectomy surgery.