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ERAS PROTOCOL Enhanced Recovery After Surgery

An evidence-based approach to faster, more comfortable surgical recovery across all procedures at Crantford Costa Plastic Surgery in Charleston, SC.

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ERAS Protocol at a Glance
Approach
Evidence-Based Protocol
💾
Strategy
Multi-Modal Approach
📏
Timeline
Faster Recovery
😀
Outcome
Improved Satisfaction
Medically reviewed by Dr. Clayton Crantford, MD | Last updated: 2026-02-24

What Is the ERAS Protocol?

ERAS (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery) is an evidence-based, multi-modal approach to surgical care that optimizes patient outcomes through collaborative clinical pathways. Rather than approaching recovery as a passive process, ERAS actively engages patients before, during, and after surgery using science-backed interventions to reduce pain, minimize complications, and accelerate return to normal activities.

At Crantford Costa Plastic Surgery in Charleston, SC, Dr. Clayton Crantford and Dr. Louis E. Costa, DMD, MD apply ERAS principles to every procedure, regardless of complexity. This comprehensive protocol combines pre-operative preparation, intra-operative precision, advanced pain management strategies, and post-operative support to create a surgical experience that prioritizes your comfort and wellbeing from start to finish.

Interested in learning how the ERAS protocol applies to your procedure? Schedule a consultation with Dr. Crantford or Dr. Costa today.

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Key Benefits of ERAS Protocol

The ERAS approach delivers measurable advantages across every dimension of the surgical experience.

Benefit

Reduced Pain & Discomfort

Multi-faceted pain management including pre-operative education, regional anesthesia options, long-acting local anesthetics like Exparel, and strategic medication timing minimize post-operative discomfort.

Benefit

Faster Return to Daily Life

Accelerated recovery timelines mean you can return to work, light activities, and normal routines sooner. Many patients notice significant improvements within days rather than weeks.

Benefit

Lower Complication Risk

Evidence-based interventions reduce surgical complications, infections, and unexpected outcomes. Careful monitoring and proactive management support optimal healing.

Benefit

Improved Patient Satisfaction

Patients who undergo ERAS protocols report higher satisfaction rates due to better pain control, faster recovery, and superior overall surgical experiences.

Traditional vs. ERAS Recovery

See how the ERAS protocol changes the recovery experience compared to conventional post-operative care.

Conventional

Traditional Recovery

Standard Post-Op Care

Traditional surgical recovery relies primarily on standard pain medication and rest, with less emphasis on active optimization.

  • Standard pain medication protocols

  • Limited nausea management strategies

  • Slower return to normal activities (4-8 weeks)

  • More post-operative complications

  • Passive healing approach

Typical Timeline

Complete recovery in 6-12 weeks with extended discomfort and limitations.

Optimized

ERAS Recovery Protocol

Evidence-Based Optimization

ERAS employs multiple coordinated interventions before, during, and after surgery to optimize every aspect of recovery.

  • Multi-modal pain management with Exparel

  • Proactive nausea prevention strategies

  • Faster return to normal activities (1-4 weeks)

  • Significantly reduced complications

  • Active, supported healing pathway

Typical Timeline

Optimal recovery in 2-6 weeks with minimal discomfort and rapid return to activities.

Evidence-Based Safety & Accreditation

Crantford Costa Plastic Surgery combines ERAS principles with Joint Commission accreditation and expert surgical oversight for optimal outcomes.

Evidence
Based
Protocol
Joint Commission
Accredited
Facility
Dr. Crantford
& Dr. Costa
Board-Certified
Surgeons

EVIDENCE-BASED PROTOCOL

ERAS is backed by decades of clinical research and outcomes data demonstrating superior pain control, faster recovery, and fewer complications.

JOINT COMMISSION ACCREDITATION

Surgery is performed in a Joint Commission-accredited facility meeting the highest standards of patient safety, quality, and infection control.

SURGEON EXPERTISE

Dr. Crantford and Dr. Costa bring board-certified expertise and years of experience implementing ERAS protocols across all surgical procedures.

ADVANCED PAIN MANAGEMENT

Including Exparel (liposomal bupivacaine), regional anesthesia, and strategic medication protocols minimize post-operative discomfort.

The Three Phases of ERAS Care

ERAS optimization spans the complete surgical journey from preparation through full recovery.

Pre-Operative Optimization

Patient education, nutritional support, pre-operative testing, anxiety reduction, and preparation strategies ensure you arrive for surgery in optimal condition.

Intra-Operative Protocols

Precision anesthesia, regional anesthesia options, Exparel injection for extended pain relief, meticulous surgical technique, and body temperature management.

Post-Operative Recovery

Structured pain management, nausea prevention, early mobilization, post-operative instructions, follow-up care, and ongoing support throughout your healing.

How ERAS Changes the Recovery Experience

With the ERAS protocol, recovery is no longer a passive process of waiting and enduring discomfort. Instead, you actively participate in your healing journey with clear guidance, comprehensive support, and advanced pain management. Many patients are surprised by how quickly they return to normal activities and how minimal their post-operative discomfort is compared to traditional surgery.

The combination of pre-operative preparation, intra-operative precision, and post-operative support creates a synergistic effect that compound benefits. You’ll experience less pain, reduced nausea, faster healing, fewer complications, and ultimately higher satisfaction with your surgical outcome. Dr. Crantford, Dr. Costa, and our surgical team remain available throughout your recovery to address questions, manage concerns, and support your optimal healing.

ERAS Protocol Included in All Procedures

At Crantford Costa Plastic Surgery, the ERAS protocol is included with every surgical procedure at no additional cost.

ERAS Implementation
Included in Your Procedure
The ERAS protocol is an integral part of every surgery at Crantford Costa Plastic Surgery, from Breast Augmentation to Tummy Tucks, Facelifts, and all other procedures. You receive the full benefit of evidence-based recovery optimization as standard care.

Pre-operative assessment: Comprehensive evaluation and optimization begins at your consultation

Advanced pain management: Multi-modal approach including Exparel and regional anesthesia

Post-operative protocols: Detailed instructions and ongoing support through complete recovery

Follow-up care: Multiple post-operative visits included to monitor healing and address concerns

The ERAS protocol enhances recovery across all procedures. Explore procedures that benefit from evidence-based rapid recovery: Breast Augmentation, Tummy Tuck, and Facelift.

EXPLORE ALL PROCEDURES

Why Choose Crantford Costa Plastic Surgery for ERAS-Optimized Care?

Dr. Clayton Crantford and Dr. Louis E. Costa, DMD, MD bring board-certified expertise and a commitment to evidence-based surgical care to every procedure. Their implementation of the ERAS protocol reflects their dedication to optimizing every aspect of the surgical experience, from pain management to recovery support.

Located in historic downtown Charleston on Calhoun Street, Crantford Costa Plastic Surgery + Skin Clinic serves patients throughout the Lowcountry and South Carolina. We believe that exceptional surgical results should be paired with exceptional recovery experiences.

Board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in advanced recovery protocols

Voted Best Plastic Surgeon and Best Plastic Surgery Practice in 2025 Best of Charleston Awards

Joint Commission-accredited facility with advanced pain management technologies including Exparel

ERAS protocol applied to every procedure at no additional cost for superior patient outcomes

Charleston, SC Location & Accessibility

Crantford Costa Plastic Surgery + Skin Clinic is proudly located at 247 Calhoun Street in historic downtown Charleston, SC 29401. Our convenient location provides easy access for consultations and follow-up appointments. Whether you’re from Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Summerville, James Island, West Ashley, Folly Beach, or elsewhere throughout South Carolina, Dr. Crantford and Dr. Costa provide board-certified expertise and evidence-based surgical care.

Call us at (843) 350-5356 to schedule your consultation and learn how the ERAS protocol can enhance your surgical experience.

Frequently Asked Questions About ERAS Protocol

What exactly is the ERAS protocol?
ERAS (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery) is an evidence-based, multi-modal approach to surgical care that optimizes patient outcomes. It combines pre-operative preparation, intra-operative techniques, and post-operative support to reduce pain, minimize complications, and accelerate recovery across all surgical procedures.
Is the ERAS protocol included in my procedure cost?
Yes, the ERAS protocol is included in every surgical procedure at Crantford Costa Plastic Surgery at no additional cost. This comprehensive, evidence-based recovery approach is standard care for all patients regardless of the procedure type.
What is Exparel, and how does it help with recovery?
Exparel (liposomal bupivacaine) is a long-acting local anesthetic injected into surgical tissues during your procedure. It provides extended pain relief for up to 72 hours after surgery, significantly reducing post-operative discomfort and the need for opioid medications.
How much faster is recovery with ERAS compared to traditional surgery?
Recovery timelines vary by procedure, but most ERAS patients return to light activities within 1-2 weeks versus 4-8 weeks with traditional protocols. Many patients experience significantly less pain and faster overall healing.
Will I still need pain medication after surgery if I have the ERAS protocol?
The ERAS protocol minimizes pain through multiple strategies including Exparel, regional anesthesia, and strategic medication timing. While some patients may still benefit from oral pain medication, most require significantly less than with traditional post-operative care.
What should I do before surgery to prepare for ERAS recovery?
Pre-operative optimization includes nutritional support, adequate hydration, moderate activity, stress reduction, and following Dr. Crantford’s specific pre-operative instructions. These preparations ensure you arrive for surgery in optimal physical condition.
What are the key post-operative care instructions for ERAS recovery?
Post-operative care emphasizes early mobilization, proper pain management, anti-nausea strategies, nutritional support, and gradual return to activities. Dr. Crantford provides detailed written instructions and remains available to answer questions throughout your recovery.
Can ERAS reduce post-operative nausea and vomiting?
Yes. The ERAS protocol includes proactive nausea prevention strategies such as specific anesthetic choices, anti-nausea medications, proper hydration, and gradual return to eating. This significantly reduces post-operative nausea compared to traditional care.
Is the ERAS protocol safe?
Absolutely. The ERAS protocol is based on decades of clinical research and outcomes data. It’s backed by major surgical organizations and is performed in a Joint Commission-accredited facility under board-certified surgeon oversight.
Will the ERAS protocol affect my surgical results?
No. The ERAS protocol optimizes recovery without compromising surgical outcomes. In fact, many studies show that optimized recovery may enhance overall surgical results due to reduced complications and better post-operative adherence to care instructions.
How do I know if I’m a good candidate for ERAS-optimized surgery?
Nearly all surgical patients can benefit from the ERAS protocol. During your consultation, Dr. Crantford or Dr. Costa will assess your health, medications, and procedure to ensure the protocol is tailored to your individual needs and circumstances.
What makes Crantford Costa Plastic Surgery’s ERAS implementation different?
Dr. Crantford and Dr. Costa apply ERAS principles across all procedures with personalized optimization based on your individual anatomy and goals. Combined with Joint Commission accreditation, advanced anesthesia options, and comprehensive post-operative support, you receive evidence-based rapid recovery as standard care.

Ready to Experience ERAS-Optimized Surgical Care?

Schedule a consultation with Dr. Clayton Crantford or Dr. Louis E. Costa to learn how the ERAS protocol can enhance your surgical experience and recovery.

SCHEDULE YOUR CONSULTATION (843) 350-5356

247 Calhoun Street, Charleston, SC 29401 | (843) 350-5356

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