Herbal Supplements and Plastic Surgery
The latest issue of the Aesthetic Surgery Journal cautions surgeons to check what herbal or natural supplements patients may be taking. The report cites that as many as 40% of patients who have plastic surgery are taking natural supplements, which may hinder the results of the surgery or can increase the risk of complications, such as bleeding.
The report also notes that 70 percent of patients don’t bother to report to their surgeons any natural supplements they are taking. Whether they believe that natural equals safe, or whether they simply don’t believe that supplements could adversely affect their healing, isn’t clear.
Alan Gold, MD, president of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, says – quote, “Stopping certain herbal supplements prior to surgery is just as critical as stopping aspirin, ibuprofen and many other common drugs.”
