Why don't all doctors use Exparel for Mommy makeovers?

Exparel is helpful in managing pain those first few days after surgery. However its use varies by surgeon's preference. The extra expense for it is typically covered by the patient, so if you are interested in it as part of your surgery I encourage you to speak with your surgeon.

Dear myguy_shyguy,
there is no reason not to use it as it can significantly lower pain levels in early postoperative protocol. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Exparel is a long-acting local anesthetic that slowly releases pain relief medication over an extended period. It's used to manage post-operative pain after various surgeries, including mommy makeovers. However, not all doctors opt to use Exparel for several reasons:

Cost: Exparel can be relatively expensive, which may influence a surgeon's decision, especially if it's not covered by insurance. Some patients may not want to incur additional costs for this medication.

Efficacy and Suitability: While Exparel can provide effective pain relief, it might not be necessary or suitable for every patient or every procedure. Surgeons evaluate each case individually and may choose different pain management techniques based on the patient's needs, the extent of surgery, and other factors.

Other Pain Management Options: There are various pain management techniques available, including oral medications, nerve blocks, and other local anesthetics, which may be equally effective for some patients.

Preference and Experience: Surgeons often have their preferred methods of pain management based on their experience and what has worked well for their patients in the past.

Patient-Specific Considerations: Factors such as allergies, individual reactions, and medical history might make some patients unsuitable candidates for Exparel.

Ultimately, the decision to use Exparel or any specific pain management technique is based on the surgeon's judgment, the patient's needs, and other individual considerations. If you're considering a mommy makeover and are interested in specific pain management options, discussing this with your surgeon during consultations is essential. They can explain the available options and help you understand which approach might be best suited for you.

There is no standardization for this type of thing. Not all doctors believe exparel works as well as it reports. It is also very expensive. I am happy to offer it to my patients though.

Hi & thanks for your question!
Not sure why a surgeon would not offer Exparel. You should check with him or her for the specific reason. Exparel has been a great help to our patients for controlling pain. Best wishes!

Exparel is a long acting (72 hour) local anesthetic. It’s commonly used in tummy tucks as well as other plastic surgery procedures. I find that the results are inconsistent- which is why I don’t use it routinely with all tummy tucks. Meaning that some patients get very good pain relief with it and others get very little improvement. This is likely related to how each person’s body metabolizes the product. If you are very concerned about pain relief, it is something your surgeon should be able to add quite easily. The added cost is about $300-350. I hope this helps.

Best wishes,
Dr.Bruno