Plastic Surgery Procedures & Long Acting Pain Medication? Yes, Please!

With my patients, it's all about the experience and trying to make it as concierge and comfortable as possible for them. One of the ways I can assist with this is to add a long acting pain medication to their procedure. This long acting pain medication is called Exparel. It’s a local anesthetic that helps manage pain after a surgical procedure. It contains a drug called bupivacaine, which is a local anesthetic that is encapsulated in tiny lipid particles called liposomes. Exparel’s unique configuration allows it to release the anesthetic over a longer period, lasting up to 72 hours post surgery!

Which procedures do I use Exparel on?

I like to use Exparel on Mommy Makeovers, Abdominoplasties (Tummy Tucks), and Breast Reconstruction Procedures. 

How do I use Exparel in the operating room?

I inject the muscles and along the incision line during the procedure in the operating room. I particularly like to use Exparel on procedures involving the stomach since there is a higher report of pain, and using the long acting analgesic (numbing medication) can help relieve some of the reliance on other pain medications such as opioids. 

Exparel is an added cost to the procedure, and patients can opt not to have it added, but I truly believe in the product and patients have reported that it assists them in their recovery which I really like hearing. We want our patients to have the easiest time healing as possible. And to be as comfortable as possible during the healing process. The first few days are when we have patients report having the most pain, which makes logical sense. 

Overall, some plastic surgeons include the cost of the medication in the procedure at the time of the cosmetic plastic surgery quote, but I often choose not to because it is an expensive medication, but a very useful one at that. I like to give my patients the option to choose what they believe is best for them. 

If you are interested in learning more about plastic surgery procedures, or would like to come in for a consultation of your own, contact my office and set up an appointment where we can discuss your goals and desires.