Recommended Vitamins and Supplements to Be Taken Prior and Post Surgery?

There are an array of medications and supplements to avoid before surgery. The most essential are those that could cause unnecessary bleeding, such as aspirin-containing products, NSAID’s (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), and extra vitamin E, garlic, ginseng, or Ginkgo, which should be discontinued a week or so before surgery.


If you are taking the blood thinner warfarin (Coumadin), you will usually be advised to discontinue this within a certain time before surgery. Your blood counts will be closely monitored and special arrangements made to ensure that your blood won’t clot and cause a problem.
 

Some herbs, such as Kava Kava and Valerian Root, could potentially interfere with anesthesia, and these too should be stopped at least a week before surgery. And of course, this may be a good time to consider stopping smoking. Many plastic surgeons require their patients to stop a month before surgery. Preparing for surgery does not mean increasing one’s alcohol intake, either. This too can adversely affect the liver and its ability to metabolize anesthesia drugs.


There are, on the other hand, some supplements that are recommended prior to surgery because they have been shown to increase wound healing, build new collagen, and decrease inflammation and swelling. These should be continued postoperatively for another couple of weeks.


Supplements recommended before and after surgery include:
Vitamin A: 10,000–25,000 IU per day, beginning a week before surgery (unless you are pregnant).
Vitamin C: 500–1000 mg per day, beginning at least a week before surgery.
Bromelain: 500–1000 mg per day, beginning a week before surgery.
Omega-3 fatty acids: Pre-surgical use is controversial. Some studies have shown them to be very beneficial in increasing immune function, while others indicate they may increase bleeding.
Arnica Montana: A homeopathic preparation to help with bruising or soreness that can be taken in pellet or tincture form beneath the tongue, right before surgery and again once you’re awake in the recovery room.
 

Keep in mind that all of this should be discussed in detail with your surgeon.  I offer my patients a supplement healing pack that contains Arnica Montana and Bromelain as part of their surgical healing package.  The pre-op nurses should also go over with you which medications, if any, should be continued on even the day of surgery.
 

In addition, I offer my patients Platelet Healing Gel.  Platelet-rich plasma is essentially derived by drawing blood from one's arm, spinning it in a centrifuge to spin out all the platelets and healing parts of the blood, concentrating them several hundred times to what they are normally found in the blood and tissues and then injecting it into the areas I am treating. The goal is to help heal the skin more quickly and reduce bruising.

Good question.  I instruct my patients to avoid the following starting 2 weeks prior to surgery: red wine, alcohol, smoking of any kind, fish oil, flaxseed oil, omega 3's, chia seeds, supplements, Vitamin E, recreational drugs, diet aids, anti inflammatory medications (i.e.: Ibuprofen, Advil, Motrin, Naproxen, and Aleve), Aspirin or Aspirin products (such as Excedrin), herbs (unless I OK them), and echinacea.  I also review any medications the patient is currently taking prior to surgery, as many drugs have undesirable side effects that can affect the surgery or anesthesia.    In general, if you are not sure about whether a vitamin, supplement, or medication is okay to be taking leading up to surgery, check with your board certified plastic surgeon.  Always better to be on the safe side and ask! 

I have my patients stop all herbal supplements and vitamins preoperatively, however, I encourage them to take Bromelain. This is the enzyme in pineapple that reduces bruising and swelling. I have not seen that Arnica makes much difference, but have been amazed how Bromealin decreased bruising after surgery in patients who were known to be "big 'bruisers!"