How does Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) aid in healing from Cosmetic & Plastic surgery?

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a great benefit to patients following some of the most popular cosmetic surgical procedures… Abdominoplasty (tummytuck), Rhinoplasty (nose refinement), Liposuction, Facelift and Breast Augmentation. Patients who receive HBOT recover much faster in the post op period.

HBOT works by increasing the oxygen concentration in all body tissues. In areas that have been compromised by surgical trauma, HBOT stimulates the growth of new blood vessels that assist in bringing more oxygen to the cells of the damaged tissue. This supplies the nourishment necessary for wound healing which in turn, leads to a faster recovery and less scarring. HBOT is a non-invasive medical treatment administered by having the patient breathe 100% oxygen at atmospheric pressures 1 to 3 times greater than normal ( sea level ) in a sealed chamber. This increased pressure causes the blood to take up greater volumes of oxygen; delivering 15-20 times more oxygen at the cellular level in tissues to enhance the healing process. The use of HBOT in cosmetic procedures may involve 2-3 treatments prior to surgery. This will stimulate and enhance the normal functions of the skin. The subsequent 3-4 treatment post surgery will result in the benefits noted above. Each session of HBOT treatment is 60 minutes. This protocol has been estimated to reduce recovery time by 33-50%.

Studies have shown the benefits of HBOT in cosmetic procedures with regards to…

  • Reduction in swelling / inflammation and bruising
  • Decreased risk of infection at the incision site; oxygen has an anti-bacterial effect
  • Reduction in post op pain, which will allow the patient to return to a normal lifestyle much faster
  • In non-surgical procedures, patients can see the erythema (redness) associated with laser re-surfacing and chemical peels diminish much quicker

Studies and Reviews:

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