Why Herbal Supplements and Cosmetic Surgery Don’t Blend: Insights from Specialists
Key Takeaways:
- Almost half of the individuals use herbal and other supplements before getting cosmetic facial plastic surgery. This can potentially pose considerable risks during surgery.
- Patients about to undergo surgery are advised by medical professionals to stop intake of these supplements for at least two weeks before their surgery.
- Around 25 percent of patients use vitamin and mineral supplements exclusively and 22 percent include animal- and plant-based supplements into their regimen.
- Certain supplements taken by the patients, including fish oil, flaxseed oil, garlic and others, can heighten the risk of bleeding during surgery.
- Surgeons need to gather a comprehensive history to avoid the known adverse impacts of supplement use on surgical results.
Close to half the individuals resort to the use of herbal and other kinds of supplements prior to opting for cosmetic facial plastic surgery, as suggested by a recent study.
These supplements can pose considerable risks to patients during surgery. Therefore, it is strongly urged by medical professionals like Dr. Bahman Guyuron and his team at Case Western Reserve University that patients halt the intake of these supplements a minimum of two weeks before their scheduled surgery.
The Impact of Supplement Usage on Plastic Surgery
The researchers observed medication logs of 200 patients due to undergo cosmetic facial plastic surgeries such as facelift and nose job, and they discovered that 49 percent of the patients administered at least one kind of supplement.
Taking into account the patients’ collective approach, they were found to be consuming 53 different sorts of supplements. The mean number of supplements was almost three per patient, but one patient was found to be on 28 different supplements, as reported in a publication in the July edition of the journal ‘Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery’.
Common Supplements and Their Surgical Effects
The elderly and women were the demographic most likely to consume supplements. Around 25 percent of the patients were on mineral and vitamin supplements exclusively, chiefly multivitamins, vitamin D, vitamin B, and calcium. Furthermore, 22 percent of them were incorporating animal- and plant-based supplements into their regimen, mainly fish oil, along with vitamins and minerals. Only a tiny fraction of 2.5 percent of patients were exclusively taking animal- and plant-based supplements.
Thirty-five patients were found to be on supplements, such as bilberry, bromelain, fish oil, flaxseed oil, garlic, methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), selenium, and vitamin E, which are associated with a heightened bleeding risk. Apart from the supplements linked with bleeding, other common supplements known for potential hazardous effects include echinacea, ephedra (ma huang), ginkgo, ginseng, kava, St. John’s wort, valerian, feverfew, and ginger.
The participants of the study were instructed to abstain from supplements two to three weeks in advance of the surgery.
The Importance Guidance Before Surgery
The authors of the research stated that “These high-risk supplements are widely used and it is crucial for the surgeon to gather a comprehensive history to evade the known adverse impacts of supplement use on surgical results.”
Further Reading and Resources
In case you’re seeking more information, you can learn more about dietary supplements via resources provided by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Click here for more details.
