Bergen County Plastic Surgeon Addresses Concern: Are Vitamins and Supplements Dangerous Before Bergen County Plastic Surgery?

While our Bergen County plastic surgery practice believes in the use of vitamins and supplements to promote healing after surgery (namely Bromelain and Arnica), a new report issued by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) suggests that not all vitamins and supplements are safe to take before surgical procedures.

Specifically, the vitamins and supplements considered “potentially unsafe” by the ASAPS include ginkgo biloba, ginseng, garlic, St. Johns Wart, echinacea and valerian root.

The study also found that 70% of cosmetic surgery patients fail to inform their doctor of any vitamins or supplements they may be taking in their initial paper work or prior to the actual surgery.

And while most of our Bergen County plastic surgery patients are fairly open with alternative or homeopathic remedies they may be using (especially because we believe in—and recognize the benefits of vitamins and supplements), we still want to encourage potential patients to list ALL of the supplements they may be taking prior to surgery.

This is important (as the article goes on to explain) because certain herbs cannot be mixed with pain medications or anesthesia. And in some cases, the supplements named above can increase the risk of bleeding during surgery.

Yet the article does go on to say that “on the positive side…providing the correct supplements and nutrients after aesthetic surgery can be very therapeutic.”

Here at the Parker Center, our Bergen County plastic surgery patients experience “rapid recovery” following surgery thanks in part to the holistic techniques (such as the use of bromelain, arnica and lymphatic drainage massages) that help reduce some of the pain, swelling and bruising that patients traditionally experience after cosmetic procedures.

But again, we want to be clear that not all supplements are safe and therapeutic leading up to surgery.

So if you are taking any of the supplements listed above, please be sure to inform Dr. Parker or a member of the team to ensure you receive the best care and guidance possible.

For further information on Bergen County plastic surgery or Bergen County plastic surgeon, Dr. Parker, please call (210) 967-1212.