HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY
Conveniently located to serve Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Los Angeles, NYC, and Miami.
WHAT IS HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a restorative, anti-inflammatory, and health optimization treatment. Dr. Emer relies on this safe, non-invasive treatment to accelerate his patients’ recovery after body sculpting surgeries, such as his renowned Supermodel and Gladiator liposuction treatments.
HBOT oxygenates the body’s tissues, which is vital for proper, expedient healing after surgery. While the air we normally breathe is about 21% oxygen, during hyperbaric oxygen therapy, patients breathe pure oxygen while relaxing in a specialized chamber.
In order for patients to achieve a higher-than-normal concentration of oxygen in the blood, the chamber must be pressurized to the equivalent of diving 33 to 45 feet below sea level. As it becomes available, extra oxygen in the body is delivered to injured tissue where it is put to use to fuel various aspects of the natural wound healing process.
RIGHT FOR YOU?
AM I A CANDIDATE FOR HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY?
WHAT CONDITIONS CAN BE TREATED WITH HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY IN BEVERLY HILLS?
Since hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been shown to reduce the inflammatory response (swelling) associated with soft tissue injury, this treatment has become increasingly popular among professional athletes seeking to shorten the recuperation period following injury.
Many professional athletes and teams have access to hyperbaric chambers, so they can reduce “downtime” after soft-tissue sports injuries. Additionally, athletes often utilize HBOT to boost their performance and expedite recovery after a strenuous workout or training session.
Hyperbaric oxygen, with its miraculous wound-healing properties, has made cosmetic procedures more accessible, convenient, and transformative than ever. Thanks to post-op HBOT, patients can minimize downtime and maximize the results of many cosmetic procedures.
HBOT can ease post-treatment discomfort, prevent infections, and improve treatment outcomes after popular body contouring surgeries like breast augmentation, mastopexy, abdominoplasty, and many others. The same advantages are available to patients who have had facial plastic surgery, such as a facelift or brow lift, when they opt for post-op HBOT treatments.
Dr. Emer is a particularly strong advocate of hyperbaric oxygen therapy after surgical fat removal treatments. He considers HBOT to be an essential aftercare therapy for patients who want incredible results with the shortest recovery time possible after undergoing his exclusive 360 HD Supermodel Lipo and 360 HD Gladiator Lipo treatments.
Dr. Emer also advises the use of hyperbaric oxygen chambers after many non-surgical cosmetic procedures. A large number of Dr. Emer’s patients choose to capitalize on the regenerative effects of HBOT to enhance the results of skin resurfacing treatments like chemical peels, ablative lasers, and microneedling.
HBOT treatments are not just for patients who have had surgery or suffered an injury. Oxygenating the body can also improve overall health and wellness and provide relief from symptoms of certain medical conditions. HBOT is considered a beneficial treatment for:
- Diabetic foot ulcers where bone, muscle or tendon may be exposed
- Certain types of infections
- Patients who have had radiation treatments for cancer
- Failing grafts or flaps
- Decompression sickness (bends)
- Thermal burns
- Damaged tissue caused by exposure to radiation (radionecrosis)
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING AN HBOT SESSION
You will be given a 100% cotton gown to change into before entering the chamber. Once inside, you will lie down in a comfortable position for the duration of your treatment session. While in the hyperbaric chamber, you can watch movies, listen to music, or even sleep.
When the door to the chamber is closed, pressurized oxygen will fill the space over a span of about 15 minutes. As the pressure in the chamber rises, some patients notice a plugged or full sensation in the ears. Most patients can clear or “pop” the ears in the same way they would on an airplane, such as by yawning or chewing gum.
The length of HBOT sessions for post-op aftercare typically range between 90-120 minutes. Treatments may be extended further, if necessary, based on the progression of the wound-healing process and/or for patients who are at increased risk of complications.
Our technician will monitor your treatment and will be available to answer questions, assist you with alleviating discomfort in the ears, and/or modify the rate of pressurization to ensure you can easily tolerate the process. If you begin to develop any unusual or uncomfortable symptoms during the session, alert our technician right away.
At the conclusion of your HBOT session, our technician will depressurize the chamber gradually. You may need to pop your ears again during the depressurization process..
HOW DOES HBOT SUPPORT THE POST-OP RECOVERY PROCESS?
The profound effect that hyperbaric oxygen therapy can have on the body’s ability to heal is undeniable. HBOT is especially beneficial for patients who have recently had surgery as it stimulates the growth of new blood vessels, which assist in bringing more oxygen to the cells of the damaged tissue. Breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber allows patients to achieve up to a tenfold increase in the oxygen level of the blood plasma and hemoglobin.
In Dr. Emer’s experience, patients who complete a series of HBOT sessions in the weeks immediately following their cosmetic procedure tend to experience a rapid and substantial reduction in pain and swelling. Dr. Emer has also observed that patients who undergo hyperbaric oxygen therapy after an injury consistently report less pain and discomfort than those who do not include HBOT in their recovery plan.
BENEFITS OF HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY
Patients who follow Dr. Emer’s recommendations for HBOT treatments after body contouring surgery can accelerate the healing process exponentially. The therapeutic benefits of HBOT include:
- Increased oxygenation of the body’s tissues
- Improved blood circulation
- Higher white blood cell counts
- Enhanced efficacy of antibiotics
- Reduced swelling, inflammation, and pain
HOW TO PREPARE FOR HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY
It is best to eat a nutritious meal or snack prior to an HBOT session, as the pressurized chamber often lowers glucose levels in the body. A combination of healthy carbohydrates and lean protein tends to work well for maintaining a safe, stable blood sugar level throughout your treatment.
You will be informed about the potential risks associated with drinking caffeinated beverages, using nicotine products, and ingesting other types of vasoconstricting substances before an HBOT treatment and must be willing and able to abstain from their use, as directed.
Additionally, be sure to follow all of Dr. Emer’s and/or your physician’s instructions regarding any modifications to how or when you take your prescription medications. You may need to undergo a medical evaluation prior to beginning your HBOT treatment as a safety precaution.
WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER AN HBOT SESSION
HOW MANY HBOT SESSIONS WILL I NEED?
The ideal number of hyperbaric oxygen therapy sessions after cosmetic surgery varies from one patient to the next. Patients who are at a higher risk of post-op complications due to medical conditions or other circumstances may need a greater number of HBOT sessions than most to effectively support their recovery.
Generally, fewer HBOT sessions are needed after limited and/or minimally invasive procedures compared to procedures that involve multiple treatment areas and more aggressive and/or extensive recontouring. In many cases, Dr. Emer’s aftercare protocols include 20 or more HBOT sessions.
Daily HBOT sessions are often advised for the first 7-14 days of your recovery. The frequency of HBOT sessions can be reduced as the healing process progresses.
