Could Taking Vitamin E Supplement Post-Op Mommy Makeover Affect the Results?

Many of the other doctors have answered this question appropriately. There is no evidence that Vitamin E supplements can help with wound healing or scar maturation. At this point the best thing that will happen to you is nothing and the worst is an adverse reaction to the supplement (such as allergy). I recommend a normal healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables and a gradual return to full activity. Hope this helps,.

Regards,

Daniel Medalie, MD

Omega 3 fats (e.g. fish oil, EFA, flax seed oil, Krill oil), NSAID's (aspirin, ibuprofen, naprosyn), Vitamin E, "blood thinners" and a whole host of supplements and medicines can cause excessive bleeding and bruising and therefore increase your recovery time. When in doubt stay away from supplements unless they are designed for surgery. I offer to my patients specific supplements that speed healing, reduce swelling, bruising and in some cases minimize discomfort (for example Bromelain, Arnica Montanum, and Vitamins designed for surgery.Bottom Line: Certain vitamins and minerals can speed healing others can cause problems and slow the process down or cause complications. If healing is going well I usually let my patients go back to their usual regimen of supplementsCheck with your doctor as only your doctor would have access to your medical history and what would be best for you. We typically allow our patients to continue their supplements 10 days post op if their recovery is going well.

The routine use of vitamin E following cosmetic surgery is
the source of some controversy.Although
some plastic surgeons believe that Vitamin E minimizes scar formation, others
believe it increases the amount of bruising. Unfortunately,
the scientific data regarding this topic isn’t clear at this time.It’s important to realize that every
patient’s situation is unique.For this
reason, it’s important to follow the recommendations of the surgeon who has
actually evaluated you.In the vast
majority of cases, Vitamin E probably doesn’t impact wound healing in a
significant way.

Before surgery, high doses of vitamin E are known to cause a higher risk for bruising and bleeding.

After breast augmentation surgery, some surgeons use Vitamin E to help reduce the chance of developing a hard breast with capsular contracture.  But the scientific data on this is pretty sparse.  I wouldn't be very upset if you decided to skip it.  

I advise my patients to avoid "extra" Vitamin E 2 weeks before and after surgery as it is a fat-soluble vitamin that could competetitively inhibit absorption of Vitamin K (another fat-soluble vitamin), which is necessary for proper blood clotting. (Vitamin A and Vitamin D in excessive doses can do the same, as can overdoing it with Omega-3 oils, fish oils, etc.)

In general, one should consider taking a multivitamin prior to and after surgery, but avoiding excessive doses of "additional" vitamin supplements if your dietary intake is otherwise "normal and healthy." Exceptions to this are patients with specific vitamin deficiencies, malabsorption syndromes, or gastric bypass patients.

Your surgeon likely has a good reason for his/her advice; I would recommend following it, and if curious, ask the reasoning behind it. But 1000 IU per day is not excessive and taking it or not taking it will have essentially the same effect if all else is well. Best wishes!

I ask my patients to avoid vitamin E for two weeks before and two weeks after surgery as it may inhibit blood clotting and cause difficulties during and after surgery. Now that you are two weeks out your daily vitamin should be adequate, but you should discuss your concerns with your doctor.

Taking vitamin E supplements post-op following a mommy makeover can potentially affect the results, particularly in terms of wound healing and scar formation. While vitamin E is often touted for its skin benefits, there’s some debate over its actual effectiveness and its potential to interfere with the healing process. Some studies suggest that applying vitamin E directly scar or taking oral supplements may not necessarily improve scar appearance and could even cause irritation or allergic reactions in some individuals. In fact, excessive vitamin E intake can thin the blood and increase the risk of bleeding, which could be problematic during the post-operative period. It’s crucial to follow your plastic surgeon’s recommendations regarding supplements and medications during the recovery process. They will provide specific instructions tailored to your individual needs and medical history to optimize healing and achieve the best possible results from your mommy makeover. If you’re considering taking vitamin E supplements, it’s essential to consult with your plastic surgeon first to ensure it won’t interfere with your recovery or increase the risk of complications.

After large surgical procedures (such as a mommy makeover), increased doses of Vitamin E can lead to bleeding issues. The data behind higher doses of Vitamin E for improved wound healing are not exactly compelling. I don't routinely advise it for any of my patients.

While Vitamin E should be avoided before surgery since it may cause more bleeding. The benefits of oral Vitamin E on wound healing are controversial and despite all recommendations of using topical Vitamin E on scars, there is a lack of good studies to support its use. It is very unlikely that taking Vitamin E will have any effect on the results of a mommy makeover.

I also ask MY patients to refrain from vitamin E use. But if you are over 2 weeks than I guess no harm no foul. Best to discuss with your chosen surgeon.