Long-Lasting Pain Relief After Tummy Tuck Surgery

When it comes to cosmetic surgery, recovery can be just as important as results. At FusionMD in Miami, we offer Exparel, a single-dose local anesthetic designed to significantly reduce pain after surgery—including tummy tucks—without relying heavily on opioids. Dr. Joshua Scurlock integrates this advanced medication into his surgical protocol to help patients experience minimal discomfort, faster mobility, and a more supported healing process.

With a proven track record in both cosmetic and general plastic surgery, Exparel offers up to 72 hours of pain relief at the site of your procedure, helping you recover with greater ease, fewer narcotics, and a reduced risk of nausea, vomiting, or constipation from traditional medications.

A Modern Approach to Post-Surgical Pain Control

What is Exparel?

Exparel is a long-acting formulation of bupivacaine liposome injectable suspension, a next-generation amide-type local anesthetic designed to control pain for up to three days after surgery. Traditional local anesthetics typically last only a few hours, but Exparel’s liposomal technology allows for extended release of the medication directly into the tissues most affected by surgery.

At FusionMD, Exparel is most commonly used for patients undergoing tummy tuck surgery. It’s administered directly into the abdominal wall and soft tissues after muscle tightening is complete, but before incisions are closed. This site-specific approach means you wake up from anesthesia with the medication already working, reducing the need for narcotics or pain pumps.

Pain Management That Starts in the OR

What Does Exparel Treat?

Exparel is used to control moderate to severe pain in the first few days after surgery, particularly pain caused by deep tissue manipulation such as abdominal muscle tightening. Its effects begin immediately and continue for up to 72 hours. This critical window is often when patients experience the most intense discomfort following procedures like a tummy tuck or abdominal cosmetic surgery.

By addressing pain at its source, Exparel helps improve patient experience, lowers reliance on opioids, and reduces complications like nausea, constipation, and fatigue that often follow traditional pain control regimens.

Who Can Receive Exparel?

Candidate Considerations for Tummy Tuck Patients

Most adults in good health who are undergoing surgery at FusionMD are eligible for Exparel. If you’re scheduled for a tummy tuck and want a recovery with less pain and fewer narcotics, Exparel may be part of your care plan. Dr. Scurlock will review your medical history to confirm your candidacy.

There are a few exclusions to be aware of. Patients with hepatic disease or liver conditions may not metabolize Exparel effectively, and those with allergies to amide-type local anesthetics may require alternative options. This product is also not typically used in pediatric patients or for obstetrical paracervical block anesthesia.

If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have a history of cardiac or neurologic conditions, these factors will be carefully evaluated before Exparel is recommended.

How Exparel Is Administered

During your surgical procedure, Exparel is delivered as a single dose by Dr. Scurlock. The administration occurs after the tummy tuck muscle repair is completed but before the incisions are closed. Dr. Scurlock targets the layers of tissue most likely to cause pain—usually the abdominal wall and the fascia around muscle plication.

The process takes only a few moments and is incorporated seamlessly into your operative plan. There’s no delay in recovery, and no additional time is added to your surgery.

Because Exparel provides continuous relief for 72 hours, there’s no need for a pain pump, repeat injections, or complex post-op regimens. It simplifies patient care while improving comfort in the most crucial recovery window.

A Smoother, Safer Healing Process

What to Expect During Recovery

Exparel won’t eliminate all discomfort, but it can significantly reduce pain intensity, particularly in the first few days after surgery. This improved comfort can support

Earlier ambulation
Better breathing and posture
Easier transition into compression garments
Faster return to routine self-care

Most patients need fewer opioids, which means less risk of constipation, vomiting, or mental fog. These benefits not only improve how you feel, but they also reduce the likelihood of delays or complications during recovery.

Dr. Scurlock will monitor your comfort and adjust other medications as needed. Because Exparel naturally tapers off, you may use oral medication as needed after the initial 72-hour period, but typically in lower doses.

How FusionMD Prioritizes Your Comfort

At FusionMD in Miami, patient experience is built into every step of your surgical plan. Dr. Scurlock’s approach combines surgical precision with the most current data on pain control and non-opioid recovery strategies. Our use of Exparel reflects a commitment to advanced anesthesia, science-backed protocols, and personalized patient care.

You’re not just receiving plastic surgery. You’re entering a system designed to support your unique needs, whether physical, emotional, or logistical. From consultation to follow-up, we are your partners in comfortable recovery.

Schedule a Consultation

If you’re considering a tummy tuck in Miami and want to learn more about how Exparel fits into your recovery, we encourage you to reach out.

Contact our office directly to speak with a member of our team or schedule your consultation online. We’ll walk you through every step—from pre-op planning to post-op support—and help determine if Exparel is right for your procedure.

Our office is conveniently located in Miami and serves patients throughout South Florida.

ExparelIn Miami, FL

Long-Lasting Pain Relief After Tummy Tuck Surgery

What is Exparel?

What Does Exparel Treat?

Candidate Considerations for Tummy Tuck Patients

How Exparel Is Administered

What to Expect During Recovery

How FusionMD Prioritizes Your Comfort

Exparel Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Exparel last?

Is Exparel safe?

Can Exparel replace all pain medications?

Does Exparel affect my long-term results?

Is Exparel included in all procedures?

Experience the Next Level in Cosmetic Surgery