I am getting lower blepharoplasty done and wanted to mitigate the bruising as much as possible. Can I take arnica or bromelain (or both) tablets prior to having surgery done and would that prevent bruising better than just taking it post surgery?
February 19, 2020
Answer: Anti-Bruising supplements This is a very interesting question, some patients are convinced Arnica helps and personally do not believe there is any harm caused by taking these supplements orally however, objectively, it is extremely difficult to create a controlled trial inducing an identical surgical event on two separate occasions one with and the other without arnica..... Hence the research papers differ in opinion. (see below) Whats most important is to avoid medication or herbal supplements which we know can Increase the risks of bleeding. It's important to let your Plastic Surgeon know about all supplements taken as well as prescription medications as this can have a dramatic effect on your outcome. Hope this was of some help, best wishes ref: Perioperative Homeopathic Arnica and Bromelain: Current Results and Future Directions. Ann Plast Surg. 2020 Mar;84(3):e10-e15 vs Is There a Role for Arnica and Bromelain in Prevention of Post-Procedure Ecchymosis or Edema? A Systematic Review of the Literature. Dermatol Surg. 2016 Apr;42(4):445-63
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
February 19, 2020
Answer: Anti-Bruising supplements This is a very interesting question, some patients are convinced Arnica helps and personally do not believe there is any harm caused by taking these supplements orally however, objectively, it is extremely difficult to create a controlled trial inducing an identical surgical event on two separate occasions one with and the other without arnica..... Hence the research papers differ in opinion. (see below) Whats most important is to avoid medication or herbal supplements which we know can Increase the risks of bleeding. It's important to let your Plastic Surgeon know about all supplements taken as well as prescription medications as this can have a dramatic effect on your outcome. Hope this was of some help, best wishes ref: Perioperative Homeopathic Arnica and Bromelain: Current Results and Future Directions. Ann Plast Surg. 2020 Mar;84(3):e10-e15 vs Is There a Role for Arnica and Bromelain in Prevention of Post-Procedure Ecchymosis or Edema? A Systematic Review of the Literature. Dermatol Surg. 2016 Apr;42(4):445-63
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
February 7, 2020
Answer: Hyperbaric oxygen for this purpose is unscientific. Arnica is ineffective at reducing bruising. Since the food supplement business is so poorly regulated, you sometime get exposed to products that actually increase your risk of bruising. In particular Bromelain is not intended to reduce bruising. It is touted to reduce swelling. The effect is unsubstantiated. What is clear is that the pineapple in the bromelain will actually inhibit your platelets and increase bruising. That bruising will harm your surgical outcome. Don't do this to yourself.
Helpful
February 7, 2020
Answer: Hyperbaric oxygen for this purpose is unscientific. Arnica is ineffective at reducing bruising. Since the food supplement business is so poorly regulated, you sometime get exposed to products that actually increase your risk of bruising. In particular Bromelain is not intended to reduce bruising. It is touted to reduce swelling. The effect is unsubstantiated. What is clear is that the pineapple in the bromelain will actually inhibit your platelets and increase bruising. That bruising will harm your surgical outcome. Don't do this to yourself.
Helpful