Arnica for Swelling and Bruising?

Question

I have been doing some research and was just curious if all ps recommend taking arnica before a tummy tuck and during to help with the swelling and bruising?

Lewis Albert Andres, MD · Answer

Hello! Thank you for your question! The recommendations for the use of these homeopathic medications are surgeon preference. I typically suggest use Arnica to decrease swelling and bruising. It is an herbal medication that is propagated from the seeds of an herb. I, as well as my patients, have seen some benefit with the treatment in the postoperative period. Although there is little evidence to its effectiveness, I believe there is some benefit, but no harm. I recommend 4-5 tablets under the tongue 4x/day for 3-5 days prior and 5-7 days after the procedure. Hope that this helps! Best wishes!

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

In our office, we recommend Bruisestick ointment that contains Arnica and Bromelain to be used on the area of injection or surgery.

Miguel Delgado, MD · Answer

You will find many different opinions from different surgeons...personally, I find a marked advantage when patients take the VitaMedica Surgery Program which includes an excellent multivitamin, arnica montana and more. I find the results so encouraging that I include VitaMedica for all surgery patients. Good luck!

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

There's no scientific evidence to support the use of arnica preop or postoperatively for the purpose of decreasing bruising and swelling.

Kevin Tehrani, MD, FACS · Answer

Arnica and bromelain are used in my practice to decrease bruising and speed up the swelling portion of healing process after surgery. While these are not prescription drugs, there have been studies to show their efficacy and they certainly cannot hurt to consume before-and-after surgery.

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA · Answer

Arnica is perfectly fine to use for cosmetic surgery. It is often used for reduction of bruising and reduction of swelling. You'll have find a PS that is comfortable with this or is already using this in his or her practice.

	Good luck.

	Dr. ES

Sultan Hassan, MD, FRCS(Plast) · Answer

Hi, and thanks for your question. There is no real high level consensus for the use of Arnica tablets. However they anecdotally seem to make patients feel better after surgery in my experience. I've only had a couple of recent patients who stopped taking arnica preop due to nausea.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

This will not be universal, and I would ask the surgeon you have selected.

	 

	 

	 

	Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Jeffrey W. Hall, MD · Answer

I cannot answer for other plastic surgeons but I have found that my patients who use the arnica prior to and after their surgeries tend to have much less swelling and bruising.

David Bogue, MD · Answer

The scientific literature is mixed on the efficacy of Arnica, however anecdotally, it does seem to benefit some patients. I have not seen detrimental effects from Arnica. On a side note, Arnica is found in many eye creams for it's "vasoconstrictive" actions and does seem to provide improvement in puffy, congested lower eyelids. Consult with your plastic surgeon before you take any supplements or vitamins prior to surgery.

Arnica for Swelling and Bruising?

Answers (16)