Exparel is a medication that is delivered to help mitigate the pain or discomfort that could be related to the incision points during a cosmetic surgery, and in this case an abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck.

Generally speaking, Exparel is a great addition to a tummy tuck procedure in terms of pain mitigation, but the candidacy as well as the dosage will be determined during a consultation with your surgeon.

Exparel is a very safe medication, but with any kind of localized pain-reliever there could be side effects, including the possibility of nausea, stomach upset, or fever. Please consult your surgeon or our staff and patient advocates about the possible side-effects further. 

No, an Exparel Injection is not in the opioid family of medications, and is not addictive. It is a localized pain reliever, which is why it is now offered.

Since 2012 there have been over 5 million patients that have experienced the relief that Exparel delivers. Like with any medication please do not hesitate to discuss any questions or concerns with our staff.

Yes; however you will need to designate another adult to pick you up from our center as well as stay with you for a minimum of 24 hours post surgery, and to return you for your first post-procedure appointment. If you have any questions about planning concerning your procedure please speak with a staff member.

EXPAREL® (bupivacaine liposome injectable suspension) is indicated for single-dose infiltration in patients aged 6 years and older to produce postsurgical local analgesia and in adults as an interscalene brachial plexus nerve block to produce postsurgical regional analgesia. Safety and efficacy have not been established in other nerve blocks.

• EXPAREL is contraindicated in obstetrical paracervical block anesthesia.
• Adverse reactions reported in adults with an incidence greater than or equal to 10% following EXPAREL administration via infiltration were nausea, constipation, and vomiting; adverse reactions reported in adults with an incidence greater than or equal to 10% following EXPAREL administration via interscalene brachial plexus nerve block were nausea, pyrexia, and constipation.
• Adverse reactions with an incidence greater than or equal to 10% following EXPAREL administration via infiltration in pediatric patients six to less than 17 years of age were nausea, vomiting, constipation, hypotension, anemia, muscle twitching, vision blurred, pruritus, and tachycardia.
• If EXPAREL and other non-bupivacaine local anesthetics, including lidocaine, are administered at the same site, there may be an immediate release of bupivacaine from EXPAREL. Therefore, EXPAREL may be administered to the same site 20 minutes after injecting lidocaine.
• EXPAREL is not recommended to be used in the following patient populations: patients <6 years old for infiltration, patients younger than 18 years old for interscalene brachial plexus nerve block, and/or pregnant patients.
  Because amide-type local anesthetics, such as bupivacaine, are metabolized by the liver, EXPAREL should be used cautiously in patients with hepatic disease.

• Avoid additional use of local anesthetics within 96 hours following administration of EXPAREL.
• EXPAREL is not recommended for the following types or routes of administration: epidural, intrathecal, regional nerve blocks other than interscalene brachial plexus nerve block, or intravascular or intra-articular use.
• The potential sensory and/or motor loss with EXPAREL is temporary and varies in degree and duration depending on the site of injection and dosage administered and may last for up to 5 days, as seen in clinical trials.

• Central Nervous System (CNS) Reactions: There have been reports of adverse neurologic reactions with the use of local anesthetics. These include persistent anesthesia and paresthesia. CNS reactions are characterized by excitation and/or depression.
• Cardiovascular System Reactions: Toxic blood concentrations depress cardiac conductivity and excitability, which may lead to dysrhythmias, sometimes leading to death.
• Allergic Reactions: Allergic-type reactions (eg, anaphylaxis and angioedema) are rare and may occur as a result of hypersensitivity to the local anesthetic or to other formulation ingredients.
• Chondrolysis: There have been reports of chondrolysis (mostly in the shoulder joint) following intra-articular infusion of local anesthetics, which is an unapproved use.
• Methemoglobinemia: Cases of methemoglobinemia have been reported with local anesthetic use.

Please refer to full Prescribing Information.