Posted July 26, 2017 in Blog, body contouring, breast surgery, facial rejuvenation
Does your daily routine might include taking vitamins, multi-vitamins, or herbal supplements? While taking vitamins and other herbal supplements seems like a great step to take for your health, many of these dietary supplements can seriously interfere with the success of your plastic surgery. Before you have a plastic surgery procedure, or any surgical procedure, be sure to let your doctor and anesthesiologist know exactly what your current supplement regimen includes.
Negative Effects of Supplements Prior To and After Surgery
A recent article in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal suggests that at least 70% of patients don’t tell their doctor they’re taking supplements. Keeping this a secret can cause several issues during and after surgery, such as:
Increased bleeding: Garlic, fish oil and Ginseng are some of the most common herbal supplements that can cause increased bleeding. This can lead to collections of blood called hematomas, which can result serious complications during surgery.
Cardiovascular Risks: Ephedrine and garlic can reduce blood platelets, decrease the blood’s ability to clot, or narrow or widen of blood vessels.
Anesthesia Risks: St. John’s Wort, which is marketed as an anti-depressant, can prolong the effects of anesthesia.
Photosensitivity: St. John’s Wort can also increase photosensitivity, which is an exaggerated sensitivity to sunlight. This can be especially troublesome for those whose surgery involves skin treatment(s).
Discontinue Use of These Supplements
The following doesn’t include all of the supplements that can increase risks during and after surgery, but they are some of the most common supplements you should avoid prior to your procedure:
- Vitamin E
- St. John’s Wort
- Ginger
- Garlic
- Ginseng
- Echinacea
- Fish oil capsules
What Supplements You Can Take
When it comes to surgery, not all supplements are created equal. Some play an integral
role in healing and can reduce the chance of infection by enhancing the immune system.
The following are some of the supplements you can take prior to surgery:
- Vitamins A and C
- Zinc
- Copper
- Selenium
As with any type of cosmetic surgery procedure, there are a lot of things to consider—supplements should be one of them. Just make sure your surgeon understands all of the medications and supplements you’re currently taking.
If you have questions about supplements and plastic surgery, contact board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Pollock at North Dallas Plastic Surgery. His team will advise you on which dietary supplements are safe to use before and after plastic surgery.
