Call Us : 415.898.4161

Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery-SanFrancisco Bay Area|Marin County

Tummy Tuck Surgery, Exparel for Pain Control

October 21st, 2013 Miguel A. Delgado Jr, MD

Before and After Tummy Tuck

This is a 45-year-old resident of Napa County, California who presented to the Novato office in Marin County for evaluation for a tummy tuck. She is 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs 135 pounds. She is a mother of two children. She underwent a full tummy tuck and tumescent liposuction of her flanks. Her surgery was performed at Marin Cosmetic Surgery Center in Marin County, California. Note the nice, thin, natural appearance of her midsection and the nicely proportioned belly button

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

San Francisco, CA-Abdominoplasty, also known as a tummy tuck, is one of the most patient pleasing surgeries performed. The long hip to hip resulting scar, for most women, is a small tradeoff for their new flat stomach. The only other downside to the procedure is the discomfort for the first few days. The tummy tuck procedure is not just for women, it is a very popular procedure for men as well, usually after substantial weight loss and many will have the procedure done in conjunction with gynecomastia surgery.

In the past, to ease the pain after surgery, a pain pump was used. At the end of surgery, the surgeon would place; two small catheters through the skin of the upper abdomen. The pump disperses local anesthetic directly into the surgical site and lasts for about three days. The pumps are fed by a supply of local anesthetic that is in a bulb about the size of a tennis ball. The device is kept in bag with a strap that goes around the neck. The pain pump provides relief, but the device is somewhat bulky and freedom of movement is somewhat restricted as the patient is tethered to a machine.

Miguel Delgado, M.D.

Plastic Cosmetic Surgery Specialist,
Dr. Miguel Delgado

Always looking for the best treatment for his patients, Dr. Delgado is now using Exparel for tummy tucks instead of the pain pump. Exparel is not a narcotic but an injectable slow release numbing agent injected at the close of surgery. It is a onetime injection lasting up to 72 hours, which is usually as long as the most intense post-surgical pain.

Exparel is an anesthetic that blocks the nerve impulses that send signals of pain to the brain. Exparel contains bupivacaine which is commonly known as Marcaine, and it is suspended in liposomes, which are a delivery vehicle for pharmaceutical drugs over a period of time.

Most patients tolerate the anesthetic well, but your surgeon will need to know if you have; liver, kidney, or heart disease, heart rhythm disorder or history of seizures, also if you have had a reaction to any type of anesthetic.

Patients who have had surgery using Exparel may still need some narcotic pain relief following surgery, but in clinical trials patients took about a third less narcotic pain relievers than non-Exparel patients and they seem to recuperate faster with a lot less discomfort.

The cost for Exparel is about the same as the cost for a pain pump so it is not deemed worthwhile for less extensive surgeries such as breast augmentation or breast reduction. However, for the patient who has a low pain threshold or is overly anxious about upcoming surgery, a discussion with Dr. Delgado about pain control is recommended.

In keeping abreast of the latest innovations for his patients, in addition to Exparel, Dr. Delgado now has the exciting non-surgical fat reducing “CoolSculpting” available.  See September’s blog for more information and schedule a consultation with Dr. Delgado to see if you may be a candidate.

Haute MD Brings Dr. Miguel Delgado on Board as Their Newest Member of Select Doctors

April 30th, 2013 Miguel A. Delgado Jr, MD

 

San Francisco, California-Dr. Delgado was selected by Haute MD  to join their prestigious directory of top physicians. Haute MD is an upscale internet publication with informative stories on the latest health and beauty trends. The online publication offers readers access to premiere cosmetic specialists around the country.

Due to his exceptional reputation and skills, Haute MD has featured Dr. Delgado as their newest member as a specialist in plastic surgery for the body, including such procedures as; breast augmentation, breast revision, tummy tuck, mommy makeover and gynecomastia or male breast reduction.

Besides having a directory for top physicians, Haute MD also gives the readers a detailed profile of the doctor’s with before and after pictures of actual patients, videos the doctors may have produced and patient testimonials.

The exclusive website delivers San Francisco Bay Area men and women intriguing articles like:
•    “Auriculotherapy Beads for Celebrity Wellness”
•    “Cupping Celebrity Health Fad: Groundbreaking or Totally Useless?”
•    “Benefits of Dead Sea Salt”
•    “Power Juice and How it Helps You”

“Haute MD connects the most trusted doctors and specialists with the country’s most discerning affluent audience. The network is an exclusive, invite only membership circle with only one representative per market for each of the nine medical specialties.”