Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Surgery Recovery

Heal faster before and after surgery. HBOT prepares your body for procedures and accelerates post-operative recovery at our Auckland clinic.

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Preparing Your Body for Surgery

Surgery places significant demands on your body. Whether you're having a planned procedure or preparing for an upcoming operation, optimising your body's healing capacity beforehand can make a meaningful difference to your recovery outcomes.

Pre-Surgery HBOT Benefits:

• Increases oxygen reserves – Saturates tissues with oxygen before the surgical stress

• Boosts immune function – Enhances white blood cell activity to reduce infection risk

• Improves circulation – Promotes new blood vessel formation in surgical areas

• Reduces recovery time – Patients who prepare with HBOT often heal faster post-operatively

Accelerating Post-Surgery Healing

After surgery, your body requires significantly more oxygen to repair incisions, rebuild tissue, and fight potential infection. Swelling and inflammation can restrict blood flow to the surgical site precisely when oxygen is needed most.

Common Surgeries That Benefit from HBOT:

• Orthopaedic surgery – Joint replacements, ACL reconstruction, spinal procedures

• Cosmetic & plastic surgery – Facelifts, tummy tucks, breast surgery, liposuction

• Dental & oral surgery – Implants, extractions, jaw surgery

• General surgery – Abdominal procedures, hernia repair, organ surgery

• Reconstructive surgery – Skin grafts, flap procedures, trauma reconstruction

How Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Supports Surgical Healing

HBOT delivers oxygen under pressure, saturating your blood plasma and reaching surgical sites that normal circulation struggles to access. This triggers a cascade of healing responses that accelerate recovery and reduce complications.

Reduces Swelling & Bruising

HBOT constricts blood vessels while increasing oxygen delivery, significantly reducing post-operative oedema and bruising.

Accelerates Wound Healing

Enhanced oxygen stimulates collagen production and fibroblast activity, essential for closing incisions and rebuilding tissue.

Fights Infection

HBOT enhances white blood cell function and creates an oxygen-rich environment hostile to bacteria, reducing infection risk.

Improves Surgical Outcomes

Better tissue oxygenation supports graft and flap survival, minimises scarring, and helps achieve optimal cosmetic results.

What Does the Research Say?

HBOT has been used in surgical medicine for decades, with extensive research supporting its role in wound healing and post-operative recovery. It is FDA-approved for several surgical applications, including compromised skin grafts and flaps, and is increasingly used as an adjunct therapy for elective procedures.

Studies have shown that patients using HBOT before and after surgery experience up to 50% reduction in swelling, faster wound closure, and improved cosmetic outcomes. Plastic surgeons worldwide now recommend HBOT as part of comprehensive surgical recovery protocols.

Learn more about the science of HBOT →

What to Expect at Our Auckland Clinic

Our process is straightforward and works around your surgical schedule. Here's what your HBOT journey looks like:

1

Initial Consultation

We discuss your upcoming or recent surgery, recovery goals, and create a personalised protocol.

2

Tailored Protocol

Pre-surgery: 3-5 sessions before your procedure. Post-surgery: 5-15 sessions depending on complexity.

3

Comfortable Sessions

Relax in our chamber for 60 minutes. Many patients rest, read, or watch content during treatment.

4

Recovery Tracking

We monitor your healing progress

Ready to optimise your surgical recovery?

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Who This May Be Suitable For

Elective Surgery Patients

Those preparing for planned procedures who want to optimise healing

Cosmetic Surgery Patients

Seeking faster recovery and optimal aesthetic results from procedures

Slow Healers

Patients with diabetes, poor circulation, or history of delayed wound healing

Reconstructive Surgery

Patients recovering from grafts, flaps, or complex reconstructive procedures

Frequently Asked Questions

For optimal results, we recommend starting HBOT 1-2 weeks before your scheduled surgery, completing 3-5 sessions. This allows time to build up oxygen reserves in your tissues and enhance your body's healing capacity before the procedure. However, even a single session in the days before surgery can provide benefits.

Most patients can begin HBOT within 24-48 hours after surgery, depending on the procedure type and your surgeon's guidance. Starting early—when swelling and inflammation are at their peak—often provides the greatest benefit. We always recommend consulting with your surgical team.

The number of sessions depends on your surgery type and individual healing. Minor procedures typically benefit from 5-8 sessions, while major surgeries like joint replacements or extensive cosmetic procedures may require 10-15 sessions. We'll create a personalised protocol based on your specific surgery and recovery goals.

Yes, HBOT is increasingly recommended by plastic surgeons worldwide as part of comprehensive recovery protocols. It's particularly beneficial for reducing bruising and swelling, accelerating wound healing, and optimising cosmetic outcomes. Many patients report significantly less discomfort and faster return to normal activities when using HBOT after cosmetic procedures.