Are Pre-op/post-op Vitamins or Supplements Necessary After Mommy Makeover?

You should avoid vitamin E for about 2 weeks before surgery. A multivitamin is usually fine to take before surgery. Arnica and Bromelain will help reduce bruising and swelling; they are safe to take before and a few days after your surgery.

Ask your plastic surgeon before surgery if you are still unsure of what to avoid.

Best wishes,

Dr.Bruno

Vitamins are generally good but not necessary. Your surgeon may have specific feelings about this, but personally, I feel that a well nourished patient does not need supplements. 

Unless you have a vitamin deficiency, vitamins are usually not required before a mommy makeover.  An example of a deficiency that would benefit from supplements is iron deficiency anemia.  In that case iron and folate would be helpful before and after surgery. Good luck!

I suggest to my patients beginning supplements such as  bromelain or arnica a week or two before their procedure(s). However, its best to consult with your board-certified Plastic Surgeon beforehand. She or he will make suggestions according to your procedure and medical records in addition to discussing your pre-op preparations. Also, such may be provided for you with your pre-op material and prescriptions in time for your recovery period. You will learn more about preparing at your pre-op appointment. 

I advise my patients to avoid herbal supplements, high-dose vitamins and other products that might increase the risk of bleeding, for at least two weeks before surgery.  I don't prescribe arnica or other medications prior to surgery but this is common practice for some other surgeons.  There is variable evidence about the effectiveness of these supplements.

Every practice has their own system of what they believe works best for their patients.  Discuss this with your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, and they will develop a plan for you.  Typically, all you need is a multi vitamin and some like the bromelain in addition.

With a regular diet in the US, most patients do not need a supplement or boost before surgery. 

Some of the supplements you list are known in homeopathy circles to possibly reduce pain and swelling.  The plastic surgery litereture is less clear, so it's probably OK to take echnincea/ arnica/ bromelain/ other things, but it's questionable whether these supplements help that much.  They are probably OK in moderate doses.

 

I usually recommend making sure you have a good diet or taking vitamins AFTER surgery.   Your body can't store many vitamins and minerals, and you will probably not be able to eat normally right after surgery, so vitamins and minerals can help your depleted stores right after your Mommy Makeover.

 

Also, i usually recommend that you make sure to eat plenty of protein, or even more than normal, after surgery.  Your body is in a "catabolic" state after your Mommy Makeover, so your body may need extra protein to heal.  The normal US diet has plenty of protein, but again, after a Mommy Makeover, you may not be eating normal amounts of food. 

I usually direct my patients toward healthier food sources of protein, such as beans, quinoa, and other veggies if you're a vegetarian.  If you're an omnivore, than wild fish, organic or grass fed red meat, and other healthier sources are my recommendations.

 

 

I generally recommend the homeopathic supplements Arnica and Bromelain before surgery. These supplements help a great deal with bruising and swelling. If you are sensitive to medications, then you may not want to try them since they are not necessary. I tell my patients to stop taking Vitamin E and fish oil also.

I routinely recommend Arnica montana and a multi-vitamin before and after surgery.  If you're sensitive to medications, you may want to hold off to prevent any possible causes of your migraines.

Arnica Montana and Bromelain are homeopathic remedies for bruising and swelling. I usually suggest it as an option to my patients, but do not require it. Your bruising will be covered by clothing anyway so if you are worried about possible migraines then I would skip it. I do recommend taking a good multiple vitamin both before and after surgery along with a healthy diet for optimum healing.