Does bromelain supplement taken before surgery help with swelling after rhinoplasty?

Question

Can taking Bromelain a week or two before your surgery could it help with swelling after rhinoplasty

Oakley Smith, MD, FRCSC · Answer

There are no studies that provided a strong evidence that Bomelain can help in swelling after rhinoplasty surgery. It is always better to check with your surgeon before using any herbal medications or supplement as some of them can increase the risk of bleeding.

Selcuk Inanli, MD · Answer

Hello! Thank you for your question.It is not really recommended to take Bromelain (or Arnica) before rhinoplasty surgery. Because before the surgery you won't have any swelling, this will help only after the surgery if you have swelling. It is like taking a medication for a disease that you don't have.But of course after the surgery it is highly recommended.Best regards!

Richard A. Bartlett, MD · Answer

Herbal Medications/Supplements are often discontinued 2 weeks prior to surgery...I recommend consulting with the Certified Plastic Surgeon who will be performing your Rhinoplasty on their "Medications to Avoid" policy and whether or not they recommend taking Bromelain or any other Herbal Medication/Supplement prior to your procedure.

Nima Shemirani, MD · Answer

Hi @kayla1236! This is a great question. Bromelain is a group of enzymes found in the fruit and stem of the pineapple plant. I recommend my patients take Arnica pills and eat pineapple 2 days prior to surgery and after surgery. This helps with bruising not really swelling. I hope this was helpful!

Ronald Schuster, MD · Answer

Bromelain is the active ingredient in pineapple that help with recovery. I think helps more with bruising than general inflammation/swelling. I recommend taking it after surgery. Make sure you let your surgeon know everything you are taking and get permission before using any recovery supplements before and after surgery.

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

Although some docs support using it (and those that do usually sell it in their offices), bromelain and other similar products like arnica montana have been shown to have no effect.

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

Many years ago we used bromelin and arnica to treat postoperative swelling. However, only 30% of our patient claimed that thay have seen any improvement; for that reason we stopped to recommend it routinely. For those that have positive experience with bromelin we  let them use it startig few days before surgery. Postoperative taping, after removal of splint, is much more effective in this regard. You should discuss this isue with your surgeon ahead of surgery and follow her (his) intructions. Good luck.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

Bromelain  taken before surgery probably does not help the swelling and bruising after rhinoplasty surgery. It doesn't hurt to take it either. Probably little to no benefit. Always check with your operative surgeon. Much more important  is to choose your surgeon based on extensive rhinoplasty experience

Eric M. Joseph, MD · Answer

in our practice, we give Arnica to all of our patients and it's not clear whether this is beneficial. To my knowledge, there have been no studies to prove its efficacy. The same is true with bromelain. Thank you. Dr Joseph

David M. Kowalczyk, MD, MBA, FACS · Answer

Hello! Thanks for your question. We have our patients taken bromelain and arnica before surgery and afterwards. Although it may mildly help with swelling, it's most profound for reducing bruising. Assuming you're otherwise healthy, there's not much downside to taking it for bruising. The reduction in swelling will likely be minimal, though. Hope this helps!

Does bromelain supplement taken before surgery help with swelling after rhinoplasty?

Answers (10)

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