Is it true that drinking pineapple juice can help to alleviate bruising & swelling after BA surgery?

Your PS probably said that because pineapple juice contains bromelain. Bromelain and arnica can help with bruising/swelling and you can pick up tabs for both in health food stores (like Whole Foods). Hope this helps!!

Thanks for your question!  Your doctor likely recommended drinking pineapple juice because it is a natural inflammatory because pineapples contain Bromelain.  You can also purchase Bromelain over the counter in many pharmacies if you don't like the idea of drinking that much juice.  Good luck!

As part of out peri operative protocol, we have all of our breast augmentation patients take several homeopathic medications which include arnica to reduce bruising and bromelain to reduce swelling. Bromelain is found in pineapple.

Bromelain is an enzyme found in pineapples that has been suggested to help with bruising and swelling.  Arnica is another agent that has been claimed that have similar effects.  Both can be purchased in supplement form as well.  While both agents have no harmful effects in normal quantities, they may also have no beneficial effects.  I leave the choice to you.  Hope this helps!

Thank you for your question.  I recommend both Arnica Montana and Bromelain extract to my patients to help with bruising and swelling.  Not so much with my BA because they do not experience much or any bruising, but mostly for any facial or lipo cases for swelling purposes.  The bromelain can be found naturally in pineapple juice or the fruit itself, or in pill form at a vitamin shop.  Hope this helps, and you have a great recovery.
Regards,Ernie Layton, MD 

Thank you for your question. There is an enzyme called Bromelan in it which helps swelling and bruising. You can have this as a supplement if you do not want take juice. Please talk to your PS for clarification

There is an enzyme in pineapple that helps with bruising and swelling.  It is available in supplement form if you wish.  It's called bromelain.  Arnica is another supplement that is helpful for bruising and swelling.  These are available at most vitamin stores.

The reason people say to eat pineapple is because it contains a substance called bromelain. You can either eat pineapple or just take bromelain as a supplement you can purchase at most health food stores. The other supplement that seems to help with bruising and swelling is Arnica. This too should be able to be purchased at a health food store. Just take the supplements according to the package directions. Best,~Dr. Sieber

In my opinion, homeopathics and enzymes such as bromelain are of very limited (if any) value.  They are harmless in normal quantities so I see no reason to avoid them but would suggest that you focus on avoiding the long list of blood thinners that are available over the counter.  Hopefully your surgeon can provide you with a list of medications to avoid before and after your procedure.  Best wishes for a smooth recovery and excellent result.
Jon A Perlman MD FACS 

Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery 

Member, ASAPS, ASPS

Extreme Makeover Surgeon, ABC TV

Best of Los Angeles Award 2015, 2016 

Beverly Hills, Ca