Abdominal paracentesis is not painful in most cases although you may feel some minimal pain with the needle insertion.
Most people that have abdominal paracentesis experience only some brief discomfort or pressure during the abdominal paracentesis procedure.
Before the abdominal paracentesis procedure a local anesthetic which is a numbing medication will be applied to the area in which the needle will be inserted.
The local anesthetic will help to minimize any pain or discomfort during the needle insertion and abdominal paracentesis procedure.
You may also feel some pressure or fullness in your abdomen as the fluid is being drained and after the procedure you may also experience some mild tenderness or swelling at the needle insertion site but it's usually pretty manageable.
Complications can occur but are rare after an abdominal paracentesis procedure.
Some possible but rare complications after an abdominal paracentesis procedure include infection, bleeding or organ puncture but these complications are rare and are often preventable with proper care.
And in some cases an ultrasound may also be used to guide the needle during insertion during the abdominal paracentesis procedure as it can ensure accuracy and also minimize any discomfort.
And after the abdominal paracentesis procedure it's important that you follow your doctors or healthcare provider's instructions regarding the wound care and instructions on any activities you can do.