The New Path to More Comfortable Tummy Tucks: Exparel
It’s exciting and fun to think about tummy tuck results, but those happy feelings can turn to worry when pondering post-surgical pain and discomfort.
Renowned board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Joshua Greenwald and our team are dedicated to making your recovery as smooth as possible, and we’re here to ease your concerns.
We’ve integrated Exparel into tummy tuck procedures. This innovative, non-opioid anesthetic significantly reduces post-operative pain, allowing for a quicker recovery.
What Is Exparel and How Does It Work?
Exparel is a modified version of the local anesthetic bupivacaine, which has been used for decades to manage pain. Unlike traditional bupivacaine, Exparel is designed to be released slowly over time, providing extended pain relief with just one dose.
Dr. Greenwald uses Exparel as part of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol for smoother and faster recovery. The ERAS protocol Dr. Greenwald uses also includes:
- Celebrex: Reduces inflammation
- Neurontin: For nerve pain
- Tylenol: For pain relief
The ERAS protocol has proven highly successful in helping patients recover from surgery with less pain and downtime, and adding Exparel makes this approach even more successful. It’s truly transforming the way patients recover from tummy tucks today!
Benefits of Exparel for Tummy Tuck Patients
Exparel has shown remarkable benefits in trials and our practice. Benefits include:
Avoiding Narcotics
Opioids have well-documented side effects and can quickly lead to dependence. Fortunately, Exparel offers a better path to pain relief for many tummy tuck patients.
Many studies show that Exparel, as part of the ERAS protocol, is just as effective as opioids. In fact, it typically reduces opioid use by more than 50% in the first three days post-surgery — even for major procedures like Cesarean section! Patients who use Exparel as part of an ERAS protocol don’t require cumbersome devices like implanted pain pumps, either.
In fact, in our practice, many patients don’t need any opioids at all! While every patient is different, Exparel is our go-to pain management approach for most tummy tuck surgeries.
Resuming Activities Faster
Because the ERAS protocol with Exparel can help you feel better faster, recovery is faster and easier. Our tummy tuck patients can ump-start their recovery and return to doing what they love sooner.
How Is Exparel Administered During a Tummy Tuck?
Dr. Greenwald performs tummy tucks in our state-of-the-art surgery center, just 20 miles from Manhattan. There, he works alongside board-certified anesthesiologists who provide anesthesia, including Exparel.
After you’re under anesthesia, you receive the Exparel. Your anesthesiologist expertly injects the medication into the abdominal wall using ultrasound guidance to ensure it reaches the right areas. This technique ensures that the numbing effects last throughout the early part of your recovery.
Comfortable Tummy Tucks: Exparel in NYC and Harrison, NY
If you’ve been considering a tummy tuck but are worried about post-surgical pain, Exparel may be the solution you’ve been waiting for. To learn more about how Exparel can make your tummy tuck experience more comfortable, call Dr. Greenwald’s office at 914-421-0113 and book a consultation.
Dr. Joshua Greenwald is a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York City who studied and trained at prestigious educational institutions including Columbia University, Emory University, and New York University School of Medicine. His keen aesthetic eye and refined surgical techniques have led him to be a top choice for cosmetic face, breast, and body procedures in NYC. His exceptional patient care has earned him the distinction of “Top Doc” by both Westchester Magazine and Castle & Connolly for over 10 years running. Dr. Greenwald is an active member of the American Board of Plastic Surgery, the American Medical Association, and the Westchester County Medical Society.