Pre flank Liposuction Surgery Preparation - what vitamins and dosage should I be taking beforehand?

Thank you for the question. Vitamins and over the counter supplements should not make a difference to your outcome since you are healthy and given the procedure that you will be undergoing. Of course, you should discuss this with your surgeon and follow their instructions. I wish you the best of luck. Vasileios Vasilakis, MD. Double board-certified, fellowship-trained plastic surgeon, Houston. TX.

Dear ladybug10452,
every plastic surgeon has his own preoperative protocol which he recommends to his patients. I would suggest you to discuss this with your plastic surgeon.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Typically eating a healthy, balanced diet and getting regular exercise is all that is necessary to prepare for surgery. Some patients will take a multivitamin or increase their protein intake to help with healing. There are certain medications that must be stopped prior to surgery so it is important that you discuss all prescription, over the counter and supplements that you take with your surgeon.

Dear Ladybug,
Good luck with your planned procedures. It is not necessary to take preoperative vitamins, but if concerned, I would consider the following vitamins and supplements:
Arnica and Bromelain-start these 3-4 days prior to surgery and for 2 weeks after. Each manufacturer had different dosing and suggestions so follow theirs.
Vitamin C 500mg twice daily starting 2 weeks before and 2 weeks post-op
Vitamin K Read the dosage suggested but also start taking 1-2 weeks preop and 2 weeks postop
Stop all NSAIDS (Motrin, Aleve, Advil, Naprosyn etc.) and aspirin 1 week before and 1 week after.
No Echinacea, Garlic, ginkgo biloba prior to surgery
Best wishes.
Dr. Taranow

Vitamins are a little bit like oil in your car engine. If you run out the motor will seize and become destroyed but adding more has no benefit.

Extremely few western people have vitamin deficient diets so there really is no proven health benefit whatsoever to taking any vitamins.

This is true. There is virtually no scientific support the vitamins help with anything with the exception of those who are vitamin depleted and those individuals need to change their diet.

The whole idea that vitamins are good for you is highly effective and sales literally billions of dollars worth of products every year. You can see major retail real estate devoted to this idea. Just go into any Whole Foods Market and look at how much shelf space is devoted to selling vitamins. this is an extremely profitable business to be in for something that offers absolutely no value to the consumer whatsoever.

Different plastic surgeons have different views on this but those who support the use of vitamins are still grssly lacking in solid scientific evidence that support the claim that taking vitamins has any actual beneficial impact.

Unless you have a poorly balanced diet save your money and focus on things that work.

When it comes to cosmetic surgery by far the biggest variable is choosing the best provider. This is where all patients should focus all of their energy.

It’s far better to interview more plastic surgeons to help find the most experienced and talented provider than it is spending hours reading articles on the Internet.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD