Post-op Use of Vitamin E?

The use of Vitamin E has not been found to prevent capsular contracture and should actually be avoided for at least two weeks after surgery.  However, you should ask your surgeon for their advice.

  Vitamin E has been shown to increase the formation of cysts when applied topically but little else.  I would not expect this to combat capsular contracture or improve scars.  Kenneth Hughes, MD, HughesPlasticSurgery, Los Angeles, CA

Thanks for your post. I feel Vitamin E is important after surgery and patients start using it 14 days after the operation. It is best to ask your surgeon their opinion and whether they recommended. Best wishes, Dr. Aldo.

Thanks for your question. I don't feel that Vitamin E is very effective in preventing capsular contracture. I recommend that you keep activity to a minimum after surgery to prevent bleeding and a hematoma. The best way to prevent a capsular contracture is to stay in touch with your surgeon and have clsoe follow up. I hope this helps.

Vitamin E doesn't effect the coagulation systems and does not cause excessive bleeding. Some anecdotal evidence has shown that bleeding may occur in patients given high doses of intravenous synthetic vitamin E.

 

Regardless, I would limit any medications not prescribed by your surgeon in the immediate 2 weeks following surgery.  As for prevention of capsular contractors, there is only weak scientific evidence of oral Vitamin E impacting capsular formation.

 

Any use of oral/herbal/natural or other medications whether over the counter or by prescription should be discussed with your physician prior to surgery, to avoid any unnecessary adverse events.