Dietary Supplements:

Hidden dangers
Be careful what you eat!
If you are planning to have elective surgery, it is very important to tell us about any and all herbal remedies that you are taking.  Many patients fail to tell their doctors about supplements for a number of reasons.  Many do not think of these products as medicine, and they believe the use of them, to be unimportant.  Others are intimidated and afraid of what their doctors may say to them.  However, we need to know everything you are taking- not just prescription drugs.  Some supplements adversely affect surgery. 

Among the herbal supplements to discontinue at least two weeks before surgery are:

  • St. John's wort, which has a mild monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitory effect and may intensify the effects of anesthesia. 
  • Yohimbe, (the natural ViagraŽ) and licorice root, which also have MAO effects and increase the potency of the anesthetic.
  • Gingko biloba, a powerful anticoagulant  is considered to be three times stronger than vitamin E.
  • Ginger, garlic, cayenne and bilberry have antiplatelet activity and may inhibit clot formation.
  • Ginseng has been associated with episodes of hypertension and tachycardia.
  • Melatonin decreases the amount of anesthesia needed for surgery.
  • Echinacea may impact the liver when general anesthesia is used.
  • Aloe, used topically, can cause contact dermatitis, and when ingested, can create low potassium levels.
  • PC-SPES, used for prostate cancer, has a definable incidence of deep vein thrombophlebitis.

Some supplements can be useful after surgery

Annica montana and bromelein, a pineapple extract are substances that reduce bruising and swelling in the face and other places on the body where liposuction was performed.

After breast implant surgery, vitamins C, B complex and E are useful.

For more information...

National Institutes of Health, office of dietary supplements  

Food and Drug Administration

Med watch

American Botanical Council

Portions of this page from an article by Ann Saul in Plastic Surgery News, September 1999

Palm Harbor Plastic Surgery Centre 2000