What vitamins or foods should be avoided before surgery and what would be helpful ?

Question

I heard to stay away from garlic before surgery , What else and how much time before surgery should you avoid it ? What supplements or foods are helpful before surgery ? Thank you

William T. Stoeckel, MD · Answer

There is quite a long list of medications, herbs, and supplements that many surgeons feel will negative affect the outcome of a breast augmentation. They mostly are thought to increase the risk of bleeding or bruising. But I have yet to see any significant scientific evidence to verify that they are necessary to avoid. These substances include garlic, vitamin E, green tea, NSAIDs, etc. While it could be true that they might affect the blood clotting cascade in some way, I have never seen a patient with a problem because they were taking any of them. The same is probably even true for aspirin and blood thinning agents like Coumadin. But even when taking these medications, the procedure can be completed safely and with minimal to no bruising or bleeding. You should let your surgeon know if you are taking estrogen replacement or oral birth control. Most surgeons would agree that stopping these medications for 2 weeks before surgery will lower your risk of having a DVT.As far as supplements that are supposed to improve your healing process, I think that the scientific evidence to support their use is even less. If you are eating a normal balanced diet, you should have all of the vitamins and cofactors that you need to heal in a normal fashion. Buying a surgeon's assortment of healing supplements is almost certainly just adding a few more dollars to the cost of the surgery without adding much if any benefit. I have many patients that take things like arnica Montana and drink pineapple juice who bruise just a little and just as much as others who do not take them. I can not say with certainty that they are all complete hocus pocus, but I am still waiting for someone to show me real evidence of their benefit.

Jeffrey J. Roth, MD, FACS · Answer

You should tell your plastic surgeon every drug, vitamin, and supplement that you take.  Some vitamins and herbal supplements can increase bleeding, (just like aspirin or ibuprofen).  Some laxatives and "cleansers" can interfere with electrolytes.  Your plastic surgeon will guide you through what you can take or not take.

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

You should  also avoid vitamin E for two weeks before surgery, as well as herbal or other alternative products like ginseng and St. John’s wort. Stick to a healthy diet and avoid alcohol for a few days before surgery.

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

Each surgeon has their own preference and or guidline when it comes to this. Be sure to ask your chosen surgeon.

Mary Gingrass, MD · Answer

In an otherwise healthy individual there is no magic diet or supplement regimen that will make or break your breast augmentation outcome.  Most surgeons will provide a list of medications and supplements to avoid.  Stay well hydrated and eat a heathy diet before and after surgery.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.You'll find that every practice has a different routine when it comes to pre-operative appointments. Therefore the advice you receive online may not be relevant. In our practice, during the preoperative visit ( typically done several weeks prior to surgery)  patients are given a list of do's and don'ts that will help them get through the surgery and recovery safely.   We review medical history and obtain any necessary preoperative workup necessary. This may include EKG and/or laboratory values depending on the patient's specific situation. "Dos and don'ts" regarding the use of medications,  herbs, alcohol, nicotine,  foods  etc. are reviewed in detail ((before and after surgery) I hope this helps.

Robert T. Buchanan, MD (retired) · Answer

Vitamin E and most supplements are actually harmful. Vitamin E causes bleeding and a large number of supplements dose also or interfere with anesthesia or healing. many foods contain Vitamin E. You can find these on the internet. Aspirin and anti-inflammatory medications also increase bleeding. I generally stop all of these at least 2 weeks before surgery and put my patients on Vitamedica vitamins especially formulated to improve healing and reduce complications. I also place them on Arnica Montana and Bromelain that reduce bleeding and speed its absorption.

What vitamins or foods should be avoided before surgery and what would be helpful ?

Answers (7)

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