I had a Mommy Makeover two weeks ago, including Mini TT, BAM, and lipo of inner and outer thighs. My doctor recommends I start taking 1000 IU/day of Vitamin E. After reading a few articles on the Internet, it seems that taking this much Vitmain E can actually do more harm than good. I already take a daily vitamin, which contains 30mg of E. Will it affect my results if I forgo the extra 1000 IU?
Answer: Vitamin E after surgery
Many of the other doctors have answered this question appropriately. There is no evidence that Vitamin E supplements can help with wound healing or scar maturation. At this point the best thing that will happen to you is nothing and the worst is an adverse reaction to the supplement (such as allergy). I recommend a normal healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables and a gradual return to full activity. Hope this helps,.
Regards,
Daniel Medalie, MD
Helpful 2 people found this helpful
Answer: Vitamin E after surgery
Many of the other doctors have answered this question appropriately. There is no evidence that Vitamin E supplements can help with wound healing or scar maturation. At this point the best thing that will happen to you is nothing and the worst is an adverse reaction to the supplement (such as allergy). I recommend a normal healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables and a gradual return to full activity. Hope this helps,.
Regards,
Daniel Medalie, MD
Helpful 2 people found this helpful
Answer: Supplements for Surgery 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.
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Answer: Supplements for Surgery 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.
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August 13, 2015
Answer: Disagreement among surgeons, follow your care plan. The routine use of vitamin E following cosmetic surgery is the source of some controversy.Although some plastic surgeons believe that Vitamin E minimizes scar formation, others believe it increases the amount of bruising. Unfortunately, the scientific data regarding this topic isn’t clear at this time.It’s important to realize that every patient’s situation is unique.For this reason, it’s important to follow the recommendations of the surgeon who has actually evaluated you.In the vast majority of cases, Vitamin E probably doesn’t impact wound healing in a significant way.
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August 13, 2015
Answer: Disagreement among surgeons, follow your care plan. The routine use of vitamin E following cosmetic surgery is the source of some controversy.Although some plastic surgeons believe that Vitamin E minimizes scar formation, others believe it increases the amount of bruising. Unfortunately, the scientific data regarding this topic isn’t clear at this time.It’s important to realize that every patient’s situation is unique.For this reason, it’s important to follow the recommendations of the surgeon who has actually evaluated you.In the vast majority of cases, Vitamin E probably doesn’t impact wound healing in a significant way.
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February 16, 2012
Answer: Vitamin E and MM
Before surgery, high doses of vitamin E are known to cause a higher risk for bruising and bleeding.
After breast augmentation surgery, some surgeons use Vitamin E to help reduce the chance of developing a hard breast with capsular contracture. But the scientific data on this is pretty sparse. I wouldn't be very upset if you decided to skip it.
Helpful
February 16, 2012
Answer: Vitamin E and MM
Before surgery, high doses of vitamin E are known to cause a higher risk for bruising and bleeding.
After breast augmentation surgery, some surgeons use Vitamin E to help reduce the chance of developing a hard breast with capsular contracture. But the scientific data on this is pretty sparse. I wouldn't be very upset if you decided to skip it.
Helpful
November 24, 2011
Answer: Vitamin E two weeks post-op should not be a problem, but follow your surgeon's advice.
I advise my patients to avoid "extra" Vitamin E 2 weeks before and after surgery as it is a fat-soluble vitamin that could competetitively inhibit absorption of Vitamin K (another fat-soluble vitamin), which is necessary for proper blood clotting. (Vitamin A and Vitamin D in excessive doses can do the same, as can overdoing it with Omega-3 oils, fish oils, etc.)
In general, one should consider taking a multivitamin prior to and after surgery, but avoiding excessive doses of "additional" vitamin supplements if your dietary intake is otherwise "normal and healthy." Exceptions to this are patients with specific vitamin deficiencies, malabsorption syndromes, or gastric bypass patients.
Your surgeon likely has a good reason for his/her advice; I would recommend following it, and if curious, ask the reasoning behind it. But 1000 IU per day is not excessive and taking it or not taking it will have essentially the same effect if all else is well. Best wishes!
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November 24, 2011
Answer: Vitamin E two weeks post-op should not be a problem, but follow your surgeon's advice.
I advise my patients to avoid "extra" Vitamin E 2 weeks before and after surgery as it is a fat-soluble vitamin that could competetitively inhibit absorption of Vitamin K (another fat-soluble vitamin), which is necessary for proper blood clotting. (Vitamin A and Vitamin D in excessive doses can do the same, as can overdoing it with Omega-3 oils, fish oils, etc.)
In general, one should consider taking a multivitamin prior to and after surgery, but avoiding excessive doses of "additional" vitamin supplements if your dietary intake is otherwise "normal and healthy." Exceptions to this are patients with specific vitamin deficiencies, malabsorption syndromes, or gastric bypass patients.
Your surgeon likely has a good reason for his/her advice; I would recommend following it, and if curious, ask the reasoning behind it. But 1000 IU per day is not excessive and taking it or not taking it will have essentially the same effect if all else is well. Best wishes!
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