Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Advanced Recovery Optimization: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)

At our practice, we continuously evaluate and integrate advanced strategies that may enhance healing and optimize outcomes—particularly in complex and high-demand cases.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is one such adjunct. While not required, it represents an additional layer of recovery optimization that may benefit all patients to some degree, with more pronounced advantages in higher-risk situations.

HBOT delivers 100% oxygen in a pressurized environment, significantly increasing oxygen availability to healing tissues—an important factor in recovery following body contouring and breast surgery.

Why We Consider HBOT

Enhanced oxygen delivery at the tissue level may:

• Improve circulation and tissue perfusion
• Reduce swelling and inflammation
• Support resistance to infection
• Promote faster, more efficient wound healing
• Improve overall tissue quality and recovery
• May contribute to improved scar quality

In complex surgery, where tissue quality and healing capacity directly impact outcomes, these effects can be meaningful.

Patients Who May Benefit Most

While this can be considered for any patient, we most often discuss HBOT in:

• Older patients
• Patients with a history of nicotine use
• Extensive body contouring procedures (including arm lifts and lower body lifts)
• Breast lift or breast reduction with implants
• Breast reconstruction, particularly in the setting of prior radiation or compromised tissue quality

Treatment Overview

When utilized, hyperbaric providers typically recommend :

• Up to four postoperative sessions
• Beginning as early as postoperative day one
• Sessions lasting approximately 60 minutes

Protocols are determined by the hyperbaric treatment providers.

Safety Requirement

Prior to initiating HBOT, a chest X-ray is required confirming:

• No pneumothorax (collapsed lung)
• No contraindications to treatment

This is a standard safety requirement and must be completed before therapy begins.

Access in St. Louis

We are aware of one medical-grade hyperbaric oxygen therapy facility outside of a hospital setting in the greater St. Louis area offering treatment on a cash-pay basis:

Wildwood Integrative Healthcare
Phone: 636-489-2000
Website: wildwoodintegrativehealthcare.com

Our team can assist with coordination if you choose to pursue treatment.

Our Approach

HBOT is not a replacement for surgical technique—it is an adjunct to an already comprehensive, high-level surgical plan .

For patients interested in incorporating this into their recovery, please let us know in advance or early after surgery so we can arrange the required chest X-ray and help guide you through the process.

This is one of several ways we continue to push beyond standard care—focusing not only on the procedure itself, but on optimizing every phase of recovery and outcome.