Is it ok to take supplements before liposuction surgery?

Question

Is it ok to take supplements before liposuction surgery? Everything I take is all natural such as enzymes, colon clear for regular bowel movements, sulphur, HTP-5 and so on. Why or why not?

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

When in doubt do NOT take supplements prior to liposuction or surgery in general It can cause bleeding. Let your surgeon know all of the supplements you take and he/she will guide you as to which are safe For example, 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.These are available through our office so if you are having problems finding them give us a call .

	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 supplements

	Below is a partial list that I hand out to my patients listing medications and supplements that can cause bleeding:

	 

	Pacific Center For Plastic Surgery
	Larry S. Nichter, M.D., F.A.C.S.                     
	Medications Which Increase Bleeding
	This is not a complete list.  Please check with your pharmacist you have any questions.
	Advil Darvon with A.S.A. Motrin
	Aggrenox Darvon N with A.S.A. Nalfon
	Aleve Daypro Naprosyn
	Alka Seltzer Decongestant Tablets Naproxen
	Alka Seltzer Plus Antacid Diet Medications Norgesic
	Alka Seltzer Plus Cold Medicine Dolobid Norgesic Forte
	Alka Seltzer Plus Pain Reliever Dristan Decongestant Tabs & Caps Norwich Aspirin & Extra Strength
	Anacin Duradyne Nuprin
	Anaprox Easprin Orudis
	Ansaid Ecotrin Tabs & Caps Pabirin Buffered Tablets
	Anthrotec Empirin Pacaps
	A.P.C Tablets Empirin with Codeine PAC Revised Formula
	A.P.C. Tablets with Butalbital Emprazil Pamprin
	A.P.C. Tablets with Codeine Emprazil-C Tabs En Tab Panalgesic
	Arthritis Pain Formula Equagesic Percodan
	Arthritis Strength Bufferin Equazine-M Percodan Demi Tablets
	Ascriptin Excedrin Persantine - dipyridamole
	Ascriptin A/D Extra Strength Bufferin Persistin
	Ascriptin with Codeine Feldene Phen-Fen
	Aspergum Fiornal Plaquenil - Hydroxychloroquine
	Aspirin Suppositories/Uniserts Fiornal with Codeine Plavix
	Aspirin Tablets Fiorgen Pletal
	Aspirin with Codeine Fortabs Ponstel
	Atromid-S Clofibrate Four Way Cold Tablets Propoxyphene Compound 65
	Axotal Gelpirin Pulvules
	Azdone Gemnisyn Quiet World Analgesic
	Bayer Aspirin Genacote Relafen
	Bayer Children&rsquo;s Chewable Tablets Genprin Robaxisal Tablets
	Bayer Timed Release Aspirin Gensan Sine Off
	BC Cold Powder Geocillin - Carbenicillin SK-65 Compound Capsules
	BC Powder Goody&rsquo;s Headache Powder Sloprin
	BC Powder Arthritis Goody&rsquo;s Extra Strength Tablets Soma Compound
	Buff A Compound Tablets Halfprin St. Joseph&rsquo;s Cold Tablets
	Bufferin & Tri-Buffered Bufferin Ibuprofen St. Joseph&rsquo;s for Children
	Buffered Aspirin Idenal Supac
	Buffex Indocin Synalgos
	Butalbital Compound Isollyl Improved Coricidin Synalgos DC Capsules
	Cama Inlay Tablets Lodine Talwin Compound
	Cama Arthritis Tablets Lortab A.S.A. Therapy Bayer
	Cataflam Magnaprin Ticlid
	Cetased Improved Magnaprin Arthritis Strength Caplets Tolectin
	Clinoril Meclofenamate Toradol
	Codoxy Medilets Tablets for Children Trigesic
	Congespirin Mepro-Analgesic Triaminicin
	Cope Mepriobamate Compound Ursinus Inlay Tablets
	Coricidin &ldquo;D&rdquo; Micrainin Vanquish Caplets
	Corcidin Demilets Midol Verin
	Cordicidin Tablets Momentum Muscular Backache Formula Viro-Med Tablets
	Coumadin Maxipirin Vitamin E
	Damason P Mobic Voltaren
	Darvon Compound 65 Monacet Zorpin
	HERBALS SUCH AS: Feverfew, Garlic, Ginger, Ginko Biloba, Ginseng, Siberian, St. John&rsquo;s Wort, Evening Primrose Oil, Kava Kava, Licorice, Ma Huang, Valerian

	If you must take something for relief of headache, menstrual cramps, backache, etc., please take TYLENOL (follow directions) for the two weeks before and after your surgery.

	PLEASE CHECK ALL MEDICATIONS YOU ARE TAKING FOR ASPIRIN CONTENT.  IF YOU ARE TAKING A MEDICATION NOT LISTED ABOVE YOU CAN CONTACT YOUR PHARMACIST, OR YOU MAY CALL OUR OFFICE TO CHECK FOR ASPIRIN OR IBUPROFEN CONTENT.

James E. Chappell, MD · Answer

It is best to get your surgeon's specific instructions for what to take and what not to take before and after surgery. I tell my patients to stop all supplements other than a multivitamin 2 weeks pre-op and for another 2 weeks after. Many of these products can affect blood clotting and your body's reaction to anesthesia, potentially causing deadly complications. In addition, they are not controlled by the FDA , so production standards are uncertain at best. Lastly, the science behind their use is not clear.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.

	Your plastic surgeon will advise you ( usually during a pre-operative visit)  about "do and don'ts" prior to surgery. It will be in your best interests to advise him/her exactly what &ldquo;supplements&rdquo; you are taking.

	Best wishes.

Mennen T. Gallas, MD · Answer

It depends on the supplements that you take.  Some can be beneficial to the healing process.  We often recommend our patients take Arnica to help with bruising and Bromelain to help with swelling.  However, certain supplements can increase bleeding tendencies, even if they are all natural.  I would encourage a discussion with your plastic surgeon as to each supplement you take and get their opinion if they are safe to take or should be stopped prior to surgery.

Mark Taylor, MD · Answer

In general is is best to stop all supplements before having surgery.  Some natural supplements can complicate surgery by causing you to bleed more.

Is it ok to take supplements before liposuction surgery?

Answers (8)

Answer: Supplements before surgery

Answer: Supplements before surgery

Answer: Some supplements can cause you to bleed more with liposuction.

Answer: Some supplements can cause you to bleed more with liposuction.

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Everything you need to know about Liposuction

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Is it ok to take supplements before liposuction surgery?

Answers (8)

Answer: Supplements before surgery

Answer: Supplements before surgery

Answer: Some supplements can cause you to bleed more with liposuction.

Answer: Some supplements can cause you to bleed more with liposuction.

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Liposuction

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.