Procedures Resource Center Plastic Surgeon Info Contact Us Forum Blog Videos Home
 

Herbal and Dietary Supplements to AVOID Before Surgery

 

                            

                                            Licensed image for CosmeticSurgeryForums.com

 

 

Click the ADOBE for a printable sheet

 

 

You will be asked to stop taking certain herbal and or dietary supplements anywhere from two to four weeks ahead of time to avoid any potentially dangerous supplement/drug interactions. Certain supplements can make changes in the heart rate, blood pressure or contribute to increased bleeding. Make sure you tell your surgeon about everything you are taking before your surgery date vitamins, minerals, and herbal supplements, as well as prescription medications.

 

Three basic kinds of potential effects are important for surgery and anesthesia:

  • Hemostasis (coagulation and clotting)

  • Sedative effects (which can amplify anesthesia)

  • Metabolism of certain drugs


 

 

                                 

                                           Licensed image for CosmeticSurgeryForums.com

 

 

Herbal and Dietary Supplement List
 

  • Alpha Omega (fish oil) -  helps regulate blood pressure and blood lipid levels, lower the risk of heart disease - can increase the risk of bleeding.

  • Bilberry  - improves night vision and circulation - has anti-platelet properties and may inhibit vital clot formation.

  • Cayenne - stimulates blood flow, strengthens the heart, arteries and capillaries - has anti-platelet properties and may inhibit vital clot formation.  These medications are normally taken to remedy edema fluid retention.

  • Chondroitin - helps to keep cartilage resilient by absorbing fluid into the connective tissue - increases risk of bleeding.

  • Chromium Picolinate - appetite suppressant - used for weight loss - alters the blood glucose level.

  • Echinacea - reduce the symptoms and duration of the common cold and flu - reduces immunosuppressant effectiveness (could interfere with wound healing) - may cause allergic reactions - may have a severe impact on the liver when general anesthesia is used.

  • Feverfew - used to prevent migraine headaches, asthma, arthritis - has anti-platelet properties and may inhibit vital clot formation - causes bleeding. These medications are normally taken to remedy edema (fluid retention)

  • Fish Emulsion - (increases risk of bleeding)

  • Garlic (Allium sativum L.) - works as an immune system stimulant which helps the body fight bacterial, viral and fungal infections - increases risk of bleeding.

  • Ginger - inhibits inflammation, breaks down protein, stimulates liver function - has anti-platelet properties and may inhibit vital clot formation - increases risk of bleeding. These supplement is normally taken to remedy edema fluid retention.

  • Ginbko Biloba - used in the treatment of blood flow disorders (circulatory disorders), such as thrombosis  - are powerful anti-coagulants - could increase bleeding time. They are considered to be 3 times stronger than Vitamin E.

  • Ginseng - help the body quickly restore homeostasis, reduce the effects of aging, and have been used in preventing heart disease - may cause hypoglycemia and increases risk of bleeding - may cause rapid heartbeat/and or high blood pressure in some individuals as well as coagulation disruption - interaction with anti-clotting medications.

  • Glucosamine - repairs damaged arthritic joints, reduces pain, and builds synovial fluid - mimic human insulin and may artificially cause hypoglycemia during surgery.

  • Goldenseal - treatment for indigestion, stomach ailments and urinary tract infections - can cause high blood pressure and swelling during surgery.

  • Hydroxycut - original formulation was recalled by the FDA - it was a weight loss or appetite suppressant.  Stop taking these pills at least 2 to 3 weeks before surgery. Many of these pills contain anticoagulants and can seriously impede your body’s ability to clot sufficiently.

  • Kava Kava - used for anxiety, insomnia and back pain - compounds anesthetic effect, may build tolerance to anesthesia - have tranquilizing properties and should not be combined with other sedative agents as it increases anesthesia effects - and increases anti-seizure medication effects. WARNING! Tell your anesthesiologist/surgeon if you take this supplement!

  • Licorice Root - help with coughs, to soothe sore throats - has a mild monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitory effect - causes high blood pressure - swelling - electrolyte imbalances.

  • Ma Huang (Ephedra) - aids in weight loss, increases energy - affects cardiovascular function, may cause cardiomyopathy or thrombotic stroke. It is an amphetamine-like compound with the potential for stimulating the central nervous system and heart - causes heartbeat irregularities - blood pressure and heart rate.

  • Melatonin - use for disorders related to sleep - may decrease the amount of anesthesia needed for surgery.

  • Papaya - helps with digestion of carbohydrates and fat - has anti-platelet properties and may inhibit vital clot formation. These medications are normally taken to remedy edema (fluid retention)

  • Salicin (Willow Bark) - used for conditions that cause pain, inflammation, or fever - has anti-platelet properties and may inhibit vital clot formation. These medications are normally taken to remedy edema (fluid retention).

  • Selenium - help prevent cellular damage from free radicals - is a powerful anti-coagulant. Considered to be 3 times stronger than Vitamin E.

  • St. John's Wort - used in the treatment of mild to moderate depression, anxiety, stomach upset, insomnia, fluid retention, and hemorrhoids - induces cytochrome enzymes, inhibiting effects of many surgical drugs - prolongs anesthesia effects.

  • Saw Palmetto - urinary symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate gland, including chronic pelvic pain, bladder disorders, decreased sex drive, hair loss, and hormone imbalances interacts with hormone therapy.

  • Valerian - acts as a pain reliever, antispasmodic, sedative - compounds anesthetic effect, may build tolerance to anesthesia - have tranquilizing properties and should not be combined with other sedative agents - increases anesthesia effects. WARNING! Tell your anesthesiologist/surgeon if you take this supplement!

  • Vitamin E - antioxidant and its roles in anti-inflammatory processes, inhibition of platelet aggregation, and immune enhancement - increases risk of bleeding - has anti-platelet properties and inhibits vital clot formation - recommended to stop taking this medication two to three weeks before surgery.

  • Yohimbe - used as nature's "Viagra" for men and also as a weight loss supplement - a short term monoamine oxidase inhibitor that stimulates increase norepinephrine release - mild monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitory effect.

 

 

 

 

 

Other Links: