Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS): A Path to Safer, Faster Healing

BY: Douglas Leppink, MD

Deciding to have cosmetic or reconstructive surgery is a significant step, and your recovery is just as important as the procedure itself. Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) is an evidence-based program designed to improve surgical outcomes, reduce complications, and support a faster, more comfortable healing journey. At the Centre for Plastic Surgery (CPS) in Grand Rapids, we have embraced ERAS principles for many years, helping our patients heal safely and confidently.

ERAS is a comprehensive approach that coordinates every stage of your surgical experience—from preparation to the operating room to recovery at home. This alignment ensures your body experiences less stress and receives more support when it needs it most. Below, we outline exactly how this trusted program works and why it is a cornerstone of our patient care.

What Is Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS)?

ERAS is a patient-centered protocol focused on reducing the physical stress of a surgical procedure and speeding up the return to normal activity. Originally developed for major surgeries, it has been widely adopted across many specialties and is now considered a gold standard for improving postoperative outcomes. It's not a single action but a series of coordinated steps designed to work together for your benefit.

The surgeons at Centre for Plastic Surgery have built our ERAS protocol on three core phases, each customized to you and your specific procedure. This dedication to personalized care ensures safety, consistency, and enhanced healing.

The Three Phases of ERAS at CPS

Our process is transparent and supportive, giving you a clear roadmap for your surgical journey. Here is how we structure our ERAS program to empower you every step of the way.

1. Pre-Operative Preparation: Setting the Stage for Success

Your journey begins long before you enter the operating room. About two weeks before your surgery, you will meet with one of our experienced nurses for a comprehensive pre-operative consultation. This appointment is crucial for identifying potential risk factors, optimizing your health, and ensuring you know exactly what to expect.

Key elements of our pre-surgery preparation include:

Diet and Nutrition Guidance: We provide personalized recommendations on balanced nutrition and protein intake to fuel your body for healing. We also strongly advise smoking cessation and reduced alcohol use for at least four weeks prior to surgery to improve blood flow and support tissue repair.

Medical Evaluation and Lab Work: Our team reviews your medical history and any chronic conditions. When needed, we order lab work to identify and address issues—such as anemia or high blood pressure—that could impact your recovery.

Medication and Supplement Instructions: You will receive clear guidance on which medications or supplements to pause before surgery. This helps prevent interference with anesthesia and reduces the risk of bleeding or blood clots.

Skin Preparation: Proper skin cleansing before your procedure is a simple but effective way to decrease the risk of infection and promote cleaner wound healing.

These preparatory steps play a major role in your plastic surgery recovery, making this phase essential for your safety and achieving the best possible results.

2. Intra-Operative Interventions: Supporting Recovery During Surgery

What happens during your procedure has a direct impact on how you feel afterward. Our surgical team uses ERAS techniques that reduce stress on the body, stabilize vital functions, and promote comfort from the very beginning.

Key intra-operative practices at CPS include:

Antibiotics and Anti-Nausea Medications: These are administered before your surgery begins to significantly reduce the risk of infection and prevent postoperative nausea.

Gentle Skin Cleansing: We use low-irritation solutions to cleanse the surgical area, protecting your skin while maintaining a sterile field.

Maintaining Normal Body Temperature: Keeping you warm during surgery improves circulation, reduces the body's stress response, and enhances your comfort as you wake up.

Fluid and Hydration Management: We carefully monitor and maintain balanced hydration throughout your procedure, sometimes using a bladder catheter during longer surgeries to ensure precision.

Blood Clot Prevention: Depending on your individual risk factors, we may use blood thinners to proactively prevent the formation of blood clots.

These strategies create a stable and safe operating environment, contributing to a smoother and more predictable recovery.

3. Post-Operative Recovery: A Clear Path to Healing

After your surgery, the ERAS program continues with structured, easy-to-follow instructions that empower you to take an active role in your healing.

Our postoperative ERAS components include:

Multimodal Pain Management: We use a combination of local anesthesia and scheduled non-narcotic medications to effectively manage pain. This approach provides excellent comfort while reducing the need for narcotics and their potential side effects.

Respiratory Hygiene: Simple breathing exercises are taught to help reduce the risk of postoperative respiratory complications and keep your lungs healthy.

Incision and Wound Care: You will receive detailed instructions on changing dressings, showering, wearing support garments, and recognizing the signs of normal versus concerning healing.

Drain Care (When Applicable): If your procedure requires drains, our team provides hands-on teaching and clear written instructions to ensure you can manage them safely at home.

Nutrition for Healing: We emphasize protein-rich foods and adequate hydration to support early wound healing and restore your energy levels after plastic surgery.

Gradual Activity Progression: You will receive clear, personalized guidance for walking, lifting limits, and gradually returning to your normal daily routines.

Following each of these steps helps reduce complications and supports a more comfortable and predictable recovery, getting you back to feeling like yourself sooner.

Why ERAS Improves Plastic surgery Recovery

The evidence is clear. Research consistently shows that surgical patients who follow an ERAS program experience significant benefits. This modern approach transforms the surgical experience from a passive event into an active partnership between you and your care team.

ERAS programs are proven to:

- Reduce postoperative pain

- Shorten recovery time

- Lower complication rates

- Decrease nausea

- Improve patient comfort and satisfaction

By minimizing the physical stress of surgery and strengthening the body’s natural healing process, ERAS helps you achieve your aesthetic goals with greater confidence and comfort.

ERAS at CPS | Your Partner in Recovery

At the Centre for Plastic Surgery, ERAS is not an add-on—it’s built into the way we care for every patient. Our dedicated team uses these proven techniques to ensure a safer surgical experience and a recovery that feels supported from start to finish. We believe that an informed patient is an empowered patient, and we are committed to guiding you with expertise and compassion.

If you are considering plastic surgery and want a personalized, evidence-based approach to your healing, our board-certified surgeons and expert nursing staff are here to guide you. Call us at 616-454-1256 with questions or to schedule your consultation.