Should I stop multi-vitamins before my tummy tuck?

A multivitamin can help (as long as it doesn't have extra vitamin E), but more importantly, you should eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. This will provide good nourishment while you recover.If you are concerned, you should show your surgeon the supplements you take just to make sure they're okay.   

Thank you for your question. In our office we have a list of vitamins, (vitamin E), and herbal supplements, (St. John's Wart, Fish Oil, etc.) that might cause bleeding. Much like ibuprofen or aspirin, they are to be avoided before and for a time after surgery. Certain herbal or over the counter supplements can also interfere with anesthesia. Please contact your board certified plastic surgeon, and ask what their routine is. Please make sure you ask any questions that you may have.

I frequently advise my patients to take 1-2 multivitamins a day. We are generally concerned about excessive and isolated intake of the fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E & K). Most multivitamins contian less than 400 IU. Typically less thatn 400 IU is a reasonable approach.

 I recommend that my patients take a multi vitamin daily, but check the label, as long as it is not more than 400 IU of vitamin E, it is fine. More than that could cause a thinning of the blood. You want to avoid anything that could thin the blood two weeks prior and two weeks after your surgery.

Vitamins vary greatly but will always state the amount of the vitamin in multiples of the recommended daily allowance. Although most vitamins are beneficial to healing a few interfere with the bleeding cascade. I evaluate the vitamins and medicines my patients take as well as the herbal supplements. If you are in good shape physically and nutritionally I would err on the side of stopping as vitamin e clearly is associated with bleeding. There is no short term advantage which outweighs the risks of bleeding in my opinion.

Good luck