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Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) uses a pressurized chamber to deliver pure oxygen to the body. It’s best known as a treatment for decompression sickness associated with scuba diving, but it has many other applications — including supporting and speeding the body’s recovery after plastic surgery. Dr. Erez Dayan offers hyperbaric oxygen therapy at Avance Plastic Surgery Institute in Reno/Tahoe, NV.

Optimizing how the body heals is central to great surgical outcomes — and it’s an area Dr. Erez Dayan has studied directly, with published research on wound healing and the factors that support recovery. A board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon and Medical Director of Avance Plastic Surgery Institute, he completed the Harvard Plastic Surgery Program — serving as Chief Resident at Massachusetts General Hospital — before an elite aesthetic fellowship at the Dallas Plastic Surgery Institute, where he was one of only two surgeons selected. He uses HBOT as one tool to support healing before and after procedures, tailored to each patient. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is one of the practice’s med spa treatments.

HBOT for Post-Operative Recovery and Healing

Proper healing is essential to plastic surgery outcomes, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a non-invasive way to support the body’s natural recovery. By increasing the amount of oxygen dissolved in the body’s fluids — not just carried by red blood cells, but also in plasma and other fluids — HBOT is thought to support processes like new tissue growth, connective-tissue formation, reduced inflammation, and immune function. For surgical patients, supporting these processes may help reduce healing time and improve the overall result.

“Recovery is something I think about as carefully as the surgery itself. HBOT is one of the tools I use to support a patient’s healing — getting more oxygen to the tissues during the window when it matters most.” — Dr. Erez Dayan

How Does HBOT Work?

The increased air pressure inside the hyperbaric chamber allows your lungs to take in more oxygen than they could at normal pressure. Carrying that extra oxygen throughout the body is thought to support the natural healing response and help accelerate recovery. During your treatment, all you need to do is relax — the time you spend in the chamber depends on your specific treatment plan.

Which Procedures Can Benefit From HBOT?

The healing support of hyperbaric oxygen therapy can complement recovery from many procedures, and it’s often considered particularly helpful for procedures involving fat transfer, removal, or transplant, including:

  • Breast reconstruction and augmentation
  • Buttock lifts
  • Facelifts of all kinds
  • Liposuction
  • Abdominal procedures

HBOT may also be used before a procedure to help optimize outcomes, and it’s used to support healing in other contexts as well. Dr. Dayan will discuss whether it’s appropriate for your situation.

How Many Treatments Do I Need?

This depends on the type of procedure or condition and your body’s oxygen uptake. For some people the benefits last longer than for others, and multiple treatments over several days generally provide the best support for the healing process. Dr. Dayan designs a plan suited to your needs.

What Are the Side Effects of HBOT?

HBOT is generally well tolerated, and you’ll be screened for any contraindications beforehand to minimize risk. The most common side effects are usually easy to manage:

  • Ear or Sinus Pressure: much like air travel, you may feel pressure in your ears or sinuses, usually relieved by yawning; if you have a sinus cold or infection, it may be best to wait until it clears
  • Claustrophobia: usually identified before treatment, and often eased by seeing the chamber ahead of time, since you can see around you and breathe easily; the team will work with you on any concerns
  • Hypoglycemia: blood sugar can decline during HBOT, so if you have diabetes you may need special precautions, which your care team will explain during your evaluation

Frequently Asked Questions About Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

What is hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
HBOT uses a pressurized chamber to deliver pure oxygen, increasing the amount of oxygen dissolved in the body’s fluids. It’s used to support healing, including after plastic surgery.

How can HBOT help after surgery?
By supporting the body’s natural healing processes with increased oxygen, HBOT may help reduce healing time and support a better overall recovery. Dr. Dayan tailors its use to each patient.

Is HBOT safe?
HBOT is generally well tolerated, and patients are screened for contraindications beforehand. The most common side effects — ear or sinus pressure, claustrophobia, and a dip in blood sugar — are typically easy to manage.

How many sessions will I need?
It depends on your procedure or condition and how your body responds. Multiple treatments over several days usually offer the best support for healing, and Dr. Dayan will design your plan.

Can HBOT be used before surgery?
Yes. HBOT is sometimes used before a procedure to help optimize healing and outcomes, in addition to its use during recovery.

Who isn’t a candidate for HBOT?
Certain conditions can be contraindications, which is why every patient is screened first. Dr. Dayan and the care team review your health history to confirm HBOT is appropriate for you.

Why Choose Avance Plastic Surgery Institute for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

  • Wound-Healing Research: published expertise in the factors that support recovery
  • Surgeon-Designed Plans: HBOT integrated into your overall surgical and recovery plan
  • Careful Screening: evaluation for contraindications before treatment
  • Harvard Chief Resident Training: completed the Harvard Plastic Surgery Program at Massachusetts General Hospital
  • Before and After Procedures: support for healing both pre- and post-operatively

Schedule a Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Consultation in Reno/Tahoe

If you’d like to support your healing before or after a procedure, Dr. Erez Dayan can help design a hyperbaric oxygen therapy plan for you. Contact Avance Plastic Surgery Institute in Reno/Tahoe, NV at (775) 800-4444 to schedule a consultation. Virtual consultations are also available for patients traveling from out of town.

Research by Dr. Dayan

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