Many patients are interested in taking vitamins and supplements after cosmetic surgery. Ultimately, certain vitamins and supplements may interact with medications prescribed by Dr. Hayley Brown, so you should check with our staff about anything you are planning to take in addition to prescribed medications. Most people don’t need to take any additional supplements before or after surgery, especially if you already eat healthy whole foods, including fresh fruit and vegetables.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an antioxidant. It strengthens the connective tissue in your skin, muscle and blood vessels. It also contributes to the formation of collagen. Many fruits and vegetables are great sources of this vitamin, including oranges, grapefruit, Brussels sprouts, kiwis and lemons. It’s a good idea to incorporate these types of produce in your regular diet in order to get a healthy dose of vitamin C.
Dr. Brown often recommends a daily vitamin C supplement while you are healing from cosmetic surgery. In general, there is no danger or risk associated with 1,000 milligrams of vitamin C daily in addition to your prescribed medications. Vitamin C is thought to promote and support proper wound healing. One study recommended 1-2 grams daily from wound onset until healing is complete. Dr. Brown is of the opinion that vitamin C can support the proper healing of cosmetic surgical incisions.
Vitamin A
This vitamin supports adequate healing of incisions and promotes collagen production. Vitamin A may increase the tensile strength of the healing incision, which is a good thing! It does this by prompting the inflammatory response to the wound. If you are taking a corticosteroid or other anti-inflammatory steroid, then Dr. Brown may recommend a higher dose of vitamin A in order to counteract the anti-inflammatory effect (in this case, you do want some amount of inflammatory response at the incision, although only to a degree). Talk to Dr. Brown about whether vitamin A is right for you.
Zinc
Most healthy people are getting enough zinc through their diet and do not need a supplement. Meat, shellfish, legumes, nuts, seeds, dairy and eggs are some of the main sources of dietary zinc. This nutrient is important for many reasons, including its ability to support skin and muscosal membranes as you heal from cosmetic surgery. It’s unlikely you need additional zinc supplementation, but talk to Dr. Brown if you have any concerns. If you don’t have a zinc deficiency, taking a zinc supplement won’t improve wound healing and could lead to zinc toxicity in a worst-case scenario. A healthy diet and multivitamin is typically more than adequate to get the zinc you need.
Bromelain
Bromelain has long been thought to reduce swelling and inflammation after surgery, but more research is certainly needed before we can make this claim. Bromelain and other dietary supplements do not require FDA approval, so claims related to them have not been put through standardized testing for safety and efficacy. Follow the dosing instructions on the label if you decide to take bromelain, and talk to Dr. Brown about whether it is safe to do so after your plastic surgery appointment.
Arnica Montana
Dr. Brown may recommend arnica in topical gel or cream form after certain facial procedures or injectable treatments, but only on certain areas. Do not apply it directly to open wounds or your incisions. Instead, you can lightly massage the arnica gel or cream where there are areas of bruising around the cheeks, mouth or lower eyelids. Dr. Brown sometimes recommends it after liposuction, when it can be massaged into areas of bruising and swelling for 5-7 days. It may reduce bruising and swelling, and you may find it provides some degree of pain relief; however, these claims have not been tested by the FDA. The FDA has said that arnica montana taken orally has been reported to cause adverse effects.
Regarding Potential Nutrient Deficiencies
Nutrient deficiencies impact all aspects of wound healing, as we’ve seen. Protein and protein-calorie malnutrition result in decreased synthesis of protein and cell production, reduced immune function, and delayed progression of all phases of wound healing. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies impair tissue synthesis, energy production, oxygen transportation, immune function, and all phases of wound healing. For more information on what constitutes a healthy diet, visit https://www.cnpp.usda.gov/dietaryguidelines.htm.
With the increased prevalence of gastric bypass surgery for obesity, we have many massive weight loss patients presenting to our office for body contouring. These patients are a high risk for nutritional deficiencies. We recommend that all massive weight loss patients are evaluated with a comprehensive medical examination and bloodwork, and have all nutritional deficiencies corrected, prior to undergoing cosmetic surgery.
Regarding Probiotics
Probiotics are a good way to restore your body’s flora, and potentially to boost the immune system, after it has been affected by antibiotics. While antibiotics are critical, they do cause certain adverse changes, including wiping out your body’s good bacteria. Probiotics may be a way to counteract these adverse effects.
Antibiotics are indispensible to modern healthcare. They are prophylactically prescribed – that is to say, prescribed in advance of surgery – to our cosmetic surgery patients. They are especially important for women receiving breast implants or patents who will have drainage tubes while recovering from surgery. Taking probiotics with antibiotics can mitigate some of the unpleasant side effects of antibiotics. You can get probiotics from yogurt, miso, tempeh, soy beverages and fermented products. You can also take a probiotic supplement. Your local health food store and drug stores have a variety of probiotic compounds in pill, capsule, or powder form that you can take daily while you are under antibiotic treatment to increase the amount of beneficial flora in your intestinal tract.
Rely on Dr. Hayley for Complete Aftercare Instructions
As our patient, you will always receive clear, straightforward information about your care, aftercare and all aspects of the cosmetic surgery process at our Las Vegas-area practice. To learn more, please call Desert Hills Plastic Surgery Center in Henderson at 702-260-7707.
The mind is an equally important player when it comes to healing. Studies have shown that patients who are more relaxed and better informed about upcoming surgery are more likely to enjoy a successful outcome.
