At Daniel Brown MD Cosmetic Plastic Surgery, we want our patients to feel their absolute best as soon as possible. Over the past 5 years, we have developed and implemented a uniquely advanced recovery plan that ensures our patients’ comfort levels during post-surgical recovery is maximized. Our Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) means recovery after surgery is as comfortable as possible and you’ll be back on your feet in no time!
Dr. Brown is pleased to offer all his patients ERAS for a variety of cosmetic and plastic surgery procedures. To learn more about how our enhanced recovery after surgery protocol can help you recover better, faster, and more comfortably, contact our office today.
WHAT IS ENHANCED RECOVERY AFTER SURGERY (ERAS)?
Patients undergo cosmetic surgery for the results, not the experience of going through surgery and recovery.
ERAS is a multi-modal recovery regimen that involves little to no narcotics. We believe that our patients deserve a comfortable, positive experience from start to finish. One of the main drawbacks of traditional post-surgical recovery are the side effects of anesthesia and narcotic medications. People experience nausea, vomiting, and just do not feel themselves after surgery. Many patients describe the first few days of recovery as foggy and unclear. These symptoms are largely due to the prescribed pain medications implemented during recovery.
Drugs also run the serious risk of addiction if not taken responsibly. After surgery, the primary goal is to keep patients relaxed and pain-free. Pain medications help to speed up recovery and allow increased mobility which can reduce potential complications. However, the most common medications prescribed for recovery today are opioids, also known are narcotics. These medications include Percocet, Vicodin, and several others that will cause you to feel relaxed, drowsy, and can potentially lower blood pressure, and slow down breathing.
The main goal of pain medication is to help you have a pleasant recovery. Opioids tend to elongate recovery time and cause people to not feel like themselves. Instead, they feel drowsy and lethargic. Mobility is limited and the first few days on narcotics are often described as “fuzzy”.
ERAS does the opposite!
We focus on our patient’s health and comfort. The medications we provide include non-narcotic analgesics, long-acting injectable anesthetic (EXPAREL®), muscle relaxers, non-streriodal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS) and neuromodulators and use little to no narcotics. This protocol uses multiple non-narcotic medications and supplements to target inflammatory mediators and pain receptors as well as relax muscles to keep patients comfortable and mobile. All this is achieved while using little or no narcotic medication. Allowing patients to be clear-headed, with only minor discomfort enables them to become active and mobile much earlier.
Patients return to feeling and acting “normally” much earlier than they would typically with the medication regimens that were utilized in the past with far less of the risks associated with narcotic medications.
We want our patients to look, feel and be their best as soon as possible.
WHY IS PAIN CONTROL IMPORTANT?
Nobody wants to endure pain and at Daniel Brown MD Cosmetic Plastic Surgery we strive to provide a comfortable recovery for you.
Pain control not only improves how you feel after surgery, but it will also help lower your risk for developing post-surgical complications. Our medications put an emphasis on decreasing inflammation. We have you begin several key medications the day before your procedure to stop much of the inflammation before it even starts. Following surgery, your treatment area will be swollen as your body reacts naturally to the surgery and begins to heal itself. Our medications will target inflammation and work to lower swelling. This will help reduce discomfort and quickly increase mobility.
We encourage our patients to get up and move about when they feel they are able to. Short walks will improve blood circulation and encourage your lungs to expand fully which will positively impact your body in many ways. ERAS allows our patients to get up and move much sooner than traditional recovery medications. We want to empower our patients and not expose them to the negative and unpleasant side-effects of narcotics.
THE DANGER OF NARCOTICS
Pain control is a big priority after surgery. Every doctor wants their patient to be comfortable and every patient wants to have a positive recovery.
However, narcotics can induce unpleasant side effects and symptoms.
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Itching
- Drowsiness
- Constipation
- Liver damage
- Driving restrictions
You may experience some or many of these side effects after surgery.
No one wants to throw up and it is especially unpleasant following surgery. Being off narcotics as quickly as possible minimizes these possible side effects and allow you to begin driving as soon as you are safely physically able. We want to set you up for your best surgery and recovery as well as good health in the long-run.
HOW DOES ENHANCED RECOVERY MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
According to a study by Patrick S. Sullivan, MD, FACS, FACRS, a Professor of Surgery at Emory University School of Medicine, Patients in an ERAS program were more likely to be ready for discharge home at 23 hours, had significantly less pain, less nausea, less vomiting, no fatigue or drowsiness after surgery, and improved ability to ambulate.
After cosmetic surgery, most patients require pain medication for four to seven days. ERAS reduces that time period and amount of any narcotic and has you feeling like yourself within the first couple of days. The adverse effects of narcotics can be avoided and with an ERAS program, you can be moving around and feeling well quickly.
We hold our patient’s well-being at the center of our care philosophy and want to enhance every aspect of their experience.
BENEFITS
ERAS is changing how patients recover. The primary advantages of recovery like this include:
- Reduced vomiting and nausea
- Quick return to mobility
- More aware during recovery
- Quicker recovery time
- Overall a more pleasant, comfortable experience
If we can help our patients have a more comfortable, healthier recovery we will work hard to achieve that.
ERAS is making a difference in the lives of our patients. Particularly, this form of recovery regimen is dramatically helping those patients who undergo breast enhancement and body contouring procedures. However it is useful across the entire spectrum of cosmetic surgical procedures from liposuction to facial rejuvenation.
CANDIDATES
ERAS is a good option for all men and women undergoing cosmetic plastic surgery. In your consultation, Dr. Brown will assess your health and develop a personalized surgical and recovery plan customized just for you. He will determine if you are a good candidate for ERAS.
Most patients are qualified for ERAS and Dr. Brown will take the time to explain how this recovery regiment has improved the experience of many patients and will for you as well.
HOW CAN I HEAL FASTER AFTER SURGERY?
An ERAS program will diminish unpleasant side effects often associated with post-operative recovery.
Everyone will heal at their own rate. It’s important to remember that everyone has unique anatomy and will recover at their own pace. Healing of wounds cannot be “sped up” per se but there are ways to ensure you provide your body what it needs to optimize your healing. Feeling well and like yourself is a great start to a positive recovery!
Get plenty of rest and stay hydrated. Traditional recovery regimens that include narcotics often make people feel nauseous and uninterested in food or drink. ERAS will allow you to be up and moving, eating healthful meals and drinking plenty of water. Recovery needs to be taken one day at a time. Don’t push yourself and pay attention to your body. Eat when you’re hungry and rest when you feel tired. The healing process cannot be sped up but with a healthy attitude and Dr. Brown and his amazing team continually available to you and helping you all along the way, you will be sure to have a safe, positive recovery.
COST
The cost of ERAS will be included in your total surgical cost quote given to you at the time of your consultation. We provide high-value care that does not end when you leave our office. We extend our care to your home through ERAS so that you feel your best shortly after surgery. Recovery is not often looked forward to but we hope to impact our patients’ lives and help them have a pleasant, short recovery so they can be up and moving around quickly! Your time is valuable to us and we want you living your life and showing off your results as soon as possible.
We are aware of narcotics and, in the midst of the opiate crisis epidemic, choose to set our patients up with medications that do not put them at risk of addiction or unpleasant side-effects. ERAS will benefit your health following surgery and in the long-run.
To learn more about ERAS and if this program applies to the cosmetic surgery you are interested in, schedule a consultation with Dr. Brown today.
FAQS
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO RECOVER FROM FACE SURGERY?
Recovering from a cosmetic facial procedure can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks. The length of your recovery time will reflect the surgical techniques implemented. Dr. Brown will provide an estimated recovery time during your personal consultation.
WHAT SURGERY TAKES 2 WEEKS RECOVERY?
Many surgeries take two weeks to recover. In fact, the average recovery time is often between one to two weeks. The length of your recovery will be determined by the surgery you have performed and your current health.
HOW LONG SHOULD YOU WAIT BETWEEN PLASTIC SURGERIES?
You will need to wait until you are completely healed. This often takes a few months. Once you have recovered from the first surgery, you will schedule a consultation with Dr. Brown to plan out your next surgery. In this consultation, he will determine if you are ready for the next procedure. If more time is needed to recover, the surgery will be planned for a date at which you should be completely healed. Your next surgery will not be pursued unless you are in good health.
We want each of our patients to have a positive, safe treatment.
HOW LONG WILL I BE OUT OF WORK AFTER A TUMMY TUCK?
The length of recovery will relate to the amount of correction needed and the physical demands of your job. You may need to take anywhere from two to six weeks off to recover. Dr. Brown and you will work together to determine a healthy recovery timeline for you and your body.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO RECOVER FROM ABDOMINAL SURGERY?
Depending on the nature of the surgery, it can take up to six weeks. With lots of rest, a focus on hydration, and healthy activities you will have a productive healing process. Dr. Brown will provide estimated recovery time for you during your private consultation.
HOW LONG DO THE EFFECTS OF GENERAL ANESTHESIA LAST?
The effects of general anesthesia often last for a few hours after surgery. During this time patients feel confused and drowsy. However, for older adults, these effects can last for days or weeks. Patients often experience muscle soreness, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, itching, dizziness, difficulty urinating, have a sore throat, and lower body temperature.