More on suppliments & Surgery

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Dietary Supplements:

Hidden dangers

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. 's wort, which has a mild monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitory effect

and may intensify the effects of anesthesia.

Yohimbe, (the natural Viagra®) 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.

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For more information...

National Institutes of Health, office of dietary supplements

Food and Drug Administration

Med watch

American Botanical Council

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

September 1999

Palm Harbor Plastic Surgery Centre 2000