Should I Be Taking a Multivitamin Before my BA?

Taking vitamins can be a problem prior to surgery.  Some vitamins, such as Vitamin E, have blood thinning properties and can make you bleed after surgery.

 

In my practice, I ask patients to discontinue everything but a single tablet multivitamin two weeks prior to surgery.  The vast majority of single tablet multivitamins contain safe levels of Vitamin E and other supplements.

 

You should consider discontinuing multiple pvitamin packs (vitamin groupings), as these usually contain too much Vitamin E.

 

I would recommend reviewing with your plastic surgeon what you take, including herbal supplements.

 

At your preoperative consultation or physical, you can bring the vitamin and herbal products and show them to the doctor to make sure that they are safe to take preop and postop.

 

Good luck!

 

Dr. Bresnick

Omega 3 fats (e.g. fish oil, EFA, flax seed oil, Krill oil), NSAID's (aspirin, ibuprofen, naprosyn), Vitamin E, "blood thinners" and a whole host of supplements and medicines can cause excessive bleeding and bruising and therefore increase your recovery time. When in doubt stay away from supplements unless they are designed for surgery. I offer to my patients specific supplements that speed healing, reduce swelling, bruising and in some cases minimize discomfort (for example Bromelain, Arnica Montanum, and Vitamins designed for surgery.Bottom Line: Certain vitamins and minerals can speed healing others can cause problems and slow the process down or cause complications. If healing is going well I usually let my patients go back to their usual regimen of supplementsCheck with your doctor as only your doctor would have access to your medical history and what would be best for you. We typically allow our patients to continue their supplements 10 days post op if their recovery is going well.

Thank you for the question.

In my opinion, there is no need for  use of any special supplements before or after plastic surgical procedures, assuming patients  are in good health and are assuming a  well-balanced diet. You will find, that your plastic surgeon will provide you with a list of “do's and don'ts” prior to surgery.

 Best wishes.