A study in the July issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) found that approximately one half of facial cosmetic surgical patients take herbal or other supplements on a regular basis. Most patients think of supplements as safe, natural products, and often forget to mention them when relaying their medication history to their surgeons. Since supplements are not regulated, there is a lack of data on their effectiveness and also their safety.
Most patients are already aware that aspirin or products such as Aleve, Advil or Excedrin can cause excessive bleeding, but do not realize that supplements such as Ginger, Licorice, Root, Feverfew, Goldenseal , St. John’s Wort, Melatonin and Garlic (to name only a few) can increase bleeding time, prolong the effects of anesthesia, or cause fluctuations in heart rate and blood pressure.
This is why Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Brian S. Glatt, MD, FACS advises his patients to stop taking supplements (as well as aspirin products) at least two weeks prior to surgery. At Premier Plastic Surgery Center of New Jersey patient safety is our top priority.