Exparel Pain Control
Tummy tucks are painful which is why experienced plastic surgeons make use of different techniques for preventing or controlling pain. Exparel is one such cutting edge medication that can be used for numbing the area. Numbed area equals to less pain which results in happier recovery and patients.
The Virginia Institute of Plastic Surgery (VIPS), led by board certified plastic surgeons Dr. Burton M. Sundin and Dr. Reps B. Sundin, provides tummy tuck surgery with Exparel for post-op pain control to patients in Richmond, Fredericksburg, Northern Virginia, and surrounding communities.
Facts to Know
Exparel reduces a patient’s need for opioids. It provides long lasting post-surgical pain management with a single dose. The medication begins controlling post-operative pain even before you wake up from the surgery. The cosmetic surgeon will inject Exparel directly into the treatment site during the procedure.
How Does Exparel Work?
The surgeon will inject Exparel during the plastic surgery while you are asleep This is a unique drug delivery system in which bupivacaine is wrapped in “DepoFoam” The local anesthetic is encapsulated in DepoFoam with a liposomal drug delivery technology The anesthesia is released slowly over time as the lipid membranes get reorganized The medication lasts for 72 hours
Highlights of Exparel
Significant long lasting pain control 30% reduction in cumulative pain scores as opposed to placebo Significant reduction in the intensity of pain in the first 24 hours as compared to a placebo 88% patients in the placebo group were being rescued with opioids after the first 24 hours. Only 64% patients needed opioids in the Exparel group. 45% reduction in opioid consumption 28% patients in the Exparel group did not need rescue medication during the 72-hour study Safe and evaluated in 10 clinical trials Single dose administration Over 2.5 million patients have received Exparel since 2012
Exparel may be mixed by your surgeon with saline for easy spread over the affected area. This will be along the incision line and muscle in tummy tuck cosmetic surgery procedure. Exparel doesn’t spread as much as local anesthesia which makes it vital to ensure precise placement.
Exparel Experience
Exparel has been used by a many cosmetic surgeons during tummy tuck procedures. Patients report a significant reduction in pain or no pain in the first 24 hours following the surgery. There is less use of pain medications which means that the study reports are supported by actual patient experiences.
Caring cosmetic surgeons prefer using innovative pain management techniques. Narcotics can be addictive and have several side effects, such as nausea and constipation. In fact, it is believed most people get addicted to opioids after surgery.
