Can I still go through with my breast reduction surgery if I need to take Vitamin E?

Question

I have wanted a breast reduction my whole life. I was always scared and finally got up the courage to do it because I know how much better I will feel. The issue is I take a lot of supplements for stomach issues I have had and sleep. Some I can stop but some will be hard - the one I really can’t is my thyroid supplement. Docs tried every medicine for thyroid and they all made me worse. This supplement has changed my life. BUT it has 10mg of vitamin e. Do I need to cancel my surgery? :(

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Certain supplements can interfere with surgery or with your healing.  Vitamin E is a mild blood thinner so the concern is issues with bleeding.  It may be recommended that certain supplements  be stopped prior to surgery but can be started again shortly after.  Your surgeon will need to review your supplements as well as the doses to determine if they can be continued or if they should be stopped.

Scott C. Lindsay, DO · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.
Many medications will effect the surgery process. You need to reach out to your surgeon and discuss this with him or her. Best wishes!

Irena Karanetz, MD · Answer

Hi,
Thank you for the question. 
First of all, congratulations on going ahead with your breast reductions surgery. It is truly life changing for many patients.
Taking Vitamin E is typically not a contraindication to performing breast reduction surgery. I would recommend to discuss your concerns with your plastic surgereon and primary care doctor who will be evaluating you prior to surgery.
I hope this helps.Best regards, Dr. Karanetz
Dr. Irena KaranetzFellowship-TrainedBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

You will need to ask the plastic surgeon who will be performing your procedures. Since vitamin E can be a mild blood thinner, we usually suggest patients stop it a week to two weeks before surgery to minimize bleeding and bruising. I recommend that my patients stop taking Vitamin E the week prior to surgery to prevent bleeding problems. Before and after surgery I recommend a diet high in protein to assist in healing.

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

There are no known therapeutic uses for vitamin E.  Whatever benefits you are experiencing are likely placebo. As an aside, E comes in units, not milligrams; if you are taking 10 units of E, that is not enough to cancel surgery. Additionally, taking more than 100 units of E per day for more than a short period of time are at higher risk for heart attack and stroke.

Can I still go through with my breast reduction surgery if I need to take Vitamin E?

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Answer: Can I still go through with my breast reduction surgery if I need to take Vitamin E?

Answer: Can I still go through with my breast reduction surgery if I need to take Vitamin E?

Answer: Vitamin E

Answer: Vitamin E

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Can I still go through with my breast reduction surgery if I need to take Vitamin E?

Answers (9)

Answer: Can I still go through with my breast reduction surgery if I need to take Vitamin E?

Answer: Can I still go through with my breast reduction surgery if I need to take Vitamin E?

Answer: Vitamin E

Answer: Vitamin E

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Reduction

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.