Provided by Bluffton Hospital

Bluffton Hospital, a division of Blanchard Valley Health System, has recently acquired a Renuvion Surgical System Standards Apyx One Console.

The technology streamlines the process of plastic surgeries, making it possible for many patients to have a procedure to tighten skin added to their surgery rather than having to schedule a second surgery later.

“When fat is removed from the body in a procedure like liposuction, the skin becomes looser,” explained Albert Loayza, RN, clinical manager for surgery at Bluffton Hospital. “Patients frequently schedule a follow-up surgery to address this skin issue. However, our new device allows the surgeon to shrink the skin immediately after a procedure as an add-on, removing the need to schedule a second surgery.”  MORE ▶︎

This Renuvion device uses radiofrequency ablation to tighten the patient’s skin. The procedure most commonly follows liposuction but can also be added to other plastic surgery procedures. The method can be performed relatively quickly.

“This is the latest technology, and these devices are usually only available in plastic surgery departments in larger cities,” said Trevor Schmiedebusch, RN, BSN, CNOR, RNFA, director of perioperative services for BVHS. “It’s a great opportunity to have one here in Bluffton, and we expect to see more and more patients seeking this out.” 

Increasingly complex plastic surgeries have recently been available at Bluffton Hospital. One of the most common procedures is breast reconstruction. The process at Bluffton Hospital involves removing a part of the patient’s abdomen and surgically attaching it to the breast area, allowing for breast reconstruction after a mastectomy without the need for an implant.