As board-certified plastic surgeons, one of our core responsibilities is staying up to date with medical advancements that improve patient safety and satisfaction. Ultrasound in plastic surgery is one such innovation that enhances both the surgical process and recovery experience.
Ultrasound provides two major benefits: it serves as a diagnostic tool and as a surgical aid that can improve precision and comfort.
Diagnostic Benefits of Ultrasound in Plastic Surgery
Ultrasound can serve a few very important functions for plastic surgeons and their patients. First, it can be used as a diagnostic tool, as well as an aid in applying long-acting anesthetic medications that can be very helpful during certain procedures. Second, following cosmetic breast procedures like breast augmentation surgery, ultrasound allows us to better assess the condition of breast implants, and more effectively detect ruptures and other issues such as fluid around the implant.
When performing fat transfer to the buttock, ultrasound is particularly important to avoid injecting into the muscle and helping to place the fat in the correct plane.
Ultrasound as a Surgical Aid
In certain cases, ultrasound guidance can be extremely beneficial when using long-acting anesthetics like Exparel® such as tummy tuck and breast augmentation. These nerve-blocking medications can reduce the need for opioid-based pain medications or anesthesia providing up to 3 days of anesthesia.
In the video below, watch board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Marc Klein discusses how he uses ultrasound technology to assist patients before, during, and after cosmetic breast surgery:
The Southern Plastic Surgery Difference
At Southern Plastic Surgery, we are committed to using proven medical technologies like ultrasound to give our patients the highest standard of care.
If you’d like to see how ultrasound can improve your plastic surgery experience, contact Southern Plastic Surgery today to schedule a plastic surgery consultation with Dr. David Whiteman or Dr. Marc Klein. And don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for additional plastic surgery tips, news, and so much more.
