Treatments to Speed Up Healing Post-Plastic Surgery with HBOT
The downtime of plastic surgery and the challenges that come with it are some of the main reasons why people still think twice before getting plastic surgery. Be it a simple facelift or rhinoplasty, patients face an inevitable discomfort because of the swelling after the procedure. With breast augmentation surgeries this discomfort can be much greater. So, what do plastic surgeons suggest you do during the downtime following the surgery? Focus on aftercare.
Like all other operations, your body needs to heal after plastic surgery. And though a good diet with plenty of nutrients is important, this alone cannot suffice. Along with going on gentle walks and drinking plenty of water, surgeons also suggest several other remedies for the swelling and the discomfort. These include lymphatic drainage massage, LED therapy, vitamins & supplements, and most importantly, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT).
What Is HBOT?
HBOT refers to HyperBaric Oxygen Therapy. During this procedure, the patient is placed inside a sealed glass tube which is known as the hyperbaric chamber. Here, they are supplied with 100% pure oxygen in a pressurized state. The regular air that we breathe has only 21% oxygen in it. Though this is sufficient for most healthy individuals under normal conditions, sometimes the body requires more oxygen absorption. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy helps with exactly this.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is incredibly beneficial for recovery from various health conditions, including injuries and illnesses of different types. The FDA has approved the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for 14 conditions already. But there are hundreds of other conditions that can potentially benefit from the application of HBOT. Many such studies are yielding promising results at the moment.
How Can HBOT Speed Up Post-Plastic Surgery Healing?
HBOT increases the oxygen absorption rate in our body. With HBOT, the patient takes in 10 to 15 times more oxygen than they usually do. As we know, oxygen is one of the key components of hemoglobin which, in turn, is one of the key components of red blood cells. Therefore, the greater supply of oxygen to the body facilitates the growth of more red blood cells which helps in mending the body parts that have undergone the surgery.
This is exactly why the FDA has approved the usage of HBOT for diabetic patients with foot ulcers that cannot be healed with regular medicines. HBOT is also used for treating burn victims. Thus, the healing power of HBOT has already been acknowledged and accepted by the medical community.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy also helps with the general discomfort by reducing the swelling. Piret Ava, who is famous as the @eyebrowdoctor on Instagram, also admitted to greatly benefiting from HBOT after getting her eyebrow lift and rhinoplasty. She also spoke about the benefits of Joov LED light, lymphatic drainage massage, and cryotherapy.
According to two plastic surgeons, Dr. Ben Talei and Dr. Steve Fallek, HBOT especially helps habitual smokers. Since the oxygen absorption rate of their bodies is already low, they are the ones who benefit greatly from being supplied with 100% pure oxygen. Smokers are also asked to refrain from smoking before and after plastic surgery, so as not to hinder the recovery process.
Where Can You Get HBOT?
Several medical institutions and spas have hyperbaric oxygen chambers. OxyHealth is the leading producer of high-quality hyperbaric oxygen chambers, which is why currently 15,000 of its machines are in use.
If you are wondering about the hyperbaric chamber price, you have to remember that OxyHealth has various models with their specifications. The hyperbaric chamber price varies according to the specifications that are offered.
Solace 210 has the most affordable hyperbaric chamber price because it has a soft chamber. This model is mainly used by HBOT spas since this is highly portable and does not require a large space to accommodate it.
OxyHealth also has several other soft chambers and monoplace chambers at different price points. Do check the diameter of the interior and the operating pressure before making a purchase. At present, OxyHealth offers six models with varying hyperbaric chamber prices.
In Conclusion
Investing in a hyperbaric chamber is a great idea because it is used to treat a variety of conditions and disorders like migraines, carbon monoxide poisoning, decompression sickness, etc. Its potential for tissue regeneration is currently being studied.
Along with HBOT, patients can also opt for LED therapy, cryotherapy, and lymphatic drainage during downtime after plastic surgery. Often, the combined effects of these therapeutic procedures yield better results, faster.
However, you must always consult your surgeon before opting for any of these therapies. Plastic surgery recovery is extremely taxing on the body and it can take weeks if not months. Thankfully, recovery has become a bit easier because of the current Work-From-Home routine. There is more time to rest and heal, after all, when you don’t have to go out for work every single day. Still, it is important not to make any rash decisions during the downtime as it can botch the entire surgery.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy has proved its merit in helping patients heal from almost untreatable wounds. This is why it is so beneficial for those recovering from plastic surgeries. To check out the various models of hyperbaric oxygen chambers, do visit the OxyHealth website for more information.