Bromelain And/or Arnica Before Surgery?

Arnica pills when taken starting the day before surgery and after surgery until any possible bruises are gone will reduce bruising and make them go away faster if you get any. Arnica cream afterwards helps as well if needed. Also avoid aspirin and ibuprofen for 10 days prior to surgery.

Hi @Gwen,
Thanks for the question. 
Eyelid surgery has a pretty predictable and easy recovery but it can vary from surgeon to surgeon. Typically, you can expect a week of bruising followed by another week of swelling. In Minneapolis we often advise our Eyelid Lift Patients to take Arnica and Bromelain which have been shown to reduce the period of bruising and swelling.It is very important to stop taking medications and supplements that may thin the blood at least 12-14 days before your surgery.  This will help decrease bleeding during the surgery, making for a faster recovery for you. I ask patients to hold Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Motrin, Aleve, fish oil, flaxseed oil and Vitamin E. 
Ice packs, ice packs, ice packs! Use ice packs over the eyelids 20 minutes every 1-2 hours while awake for the first 48-72 hours. This will help with resolving your swelling and bruising. 
Goodluck!
Best Wishes,



K. Chopra, M.D.
Johns Hopkins Trained Plastic Surgeon

Face, Body and Breast Expert

There are limited evidence for one to say definitively, but other routine postoperative measures such as  sleeping with a few pillows behind your head and shoulders, icing intermittently for 24-48 hours and staying off the blood thinner will certainly help. There is no harm in taking bromelain and/or arnica but consult your surgeon prior to taking other herbal medicine (garlic, ginko, ginseng) because a lot of them can thin your blood.
Wish you the best in your journey,
Dr Leo Kim, Specialist Plastic Surgeon in Sydney