Preparing for Surgery

When preparing for surgery, we will provide you with information on nutritional supplements to discontinue and provide you with supplements that will aid in your recovery.

Good Nutrition Supports Faster Healing

After a surgical procedure, wound healing sets off a complex chain of events that involves an increased demand for nutrients. This activity requires a number of vitamins, minerals, and other chemical co-factors to complete its job. Without these building blocks, wound healing takes longer and may be compromised.

For a wound to heal successfully, you’ll need adequate amounts of several nutrients, including carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals.  If you don’t meet your body’s nutritional needs, you may be at risk for increased bruising and swelling, delayed wound healing, and other wound-related complications.

Bednar Cosmetic Surgery

Recovery Guidelines – Everything You Need to Know

Your Regular Multi-Vitamin Doesn’t Cut It

If you’re lacking in essential nutrients, you can’t cover the gaps in your diet by taking a daily multivitamins. A regular multi-vitamin will not support your body’s needs following surgery.

A regular multivitamin is usually formulated with vitamin E.  While this fat-soluble nutrient is an excellent antioxidant and confers a number of health benefits, it is not recommended during the pre-operative period because it can promote bleeding.

A regular multivitamin will also not have sufficient amounts of the micronutrients to help repair and build new tissue, eliminate the free-radicals that are generated by surgery, and boost the immune system which is typically compromised following surgery.

In addition, a multivitamin won’t help with the bruising, swelling and inflammation that often accompanies a surgical or non-surgical procedure.

Recovery is as Simple as the ABCs

As it turns out, three nutrient groups will help you get back on your feet faster including Arnica MontanaBromelain and Clinical Support.  Read below to learn how each of these ABCs helps with bruising, swelling, inflammation, and wound healing.

A – Arnica Montana

What is it?

Arnica Montana is daisy-like plant native to Europe, Asia, and North America that is sometimes referred to as the “mountain daisy” or “leopard’s bane”.  While there are a variety of different products and uses for arnica, homeopathic Arnica Montana is the most common preparation designed for use as a natural treatment for bruising.

Arnica is believed to increase the flow of blood around bruised tissue causing escaped fluids to be absorbed by the body. The absorption of the fluids makes black and blue marks go away faster and reduces the swelling by relieving the pressure on nerve endings.

Due to their delicate nature, homeopathic preparations are always delivered sublingually (i.e. under the tongue). When taking homeopathic tablets, drop the tablets into the lid of the bottle (not in your hand) and place the tablets under your tongue. This prevents the medication from rubbing off into your hand.

How much do I take?

Dosing frequency for Arnica increases in relation to the severity of bruising. For a product like VitaMedica’s Arnica Montana Blister Pack, which is designed specifically for injectables and fillers, you will take 4 tablets twice daily.  For larger or more invasive procedures for which VitaMedica’s Arnica Montana 30X bottle or Arnica Anti-Bruise Kit may be better suited, you will take 3 tablets, three times per day until bruising subsides.

What types of procedures will benefit?

Injectables and fillers, non-surgical or minimally invasive procedures like facial laser treatments or blepharoplasty (e.g. Fraxel® or eyelid surgery), all facial surgeries.

B – Bromelain with Quercetin

What is it?

Historically, bromelain has been used in both folk and modern medicine as a digestive aid and as a natural anti-inflammatory. Bromelain can be used for many different conditions but it has documented therapeutic effects in the treatment of inflammation. Studies have shown that bromelain can help reduce inflammation and swelling after surgery.

Quercetin is a type of flavonoid – a plant pigment that gives plants and fruits their color – that has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Quercetin, found concentrated in foods, such as onions and apples, reduces the manufacture and release of histamine and other allergic and inflammatory mediators. This flavonoid is also a potent antioxidant and may help protect against diseases like heart disease and cancer.

Studies have shown that systemic enzymes for inflammation (like bromelain) combined with quercetin, produce greater anti-inflammatory benefits than either one used alone.

How much do I take? 

VitaMedica’s Bromelain with Quercetin combines both anti-inflammatory supplements into one convenient formulation.  To be effective, at least 3,000 MCUs of bromelain must be consumed in divided amounts during the course of a day.

To ensure that the bromelain works on the site of injury and not in aiding digestion, it is best to take it on an empty stomach. For quercetin, dosing is measured in milligrams (mg).  The recommended dosage varies based on the type and extent of the issue to be treated. Dosages can range from 500 – 2,500 mg per day, in divided doses.

Bromelain should be taken 72 hours or 3 days prior to surgery. Bromelain should be continued for 7 days following surgery.

What types of procedures will benefit?

Facial procedures, ranging from facelifts to eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), breast surgeries, such as fat grafting to breasts, breast lifts and reductions,  and breast augmentation. All body contouring procedures such as tummy tucks, liposuction or Cellulaze™.

C – Clinical Support Program

What is it?

Clinical Support Program is a specialty multi-nutrient formula developed by David H. Rahm, M.D., VitaMedica’s founder and medical director, for his surgical patients. Clinical Support is designed to promote wound healing, enhance immune system function and reduce oxidation generated by surgery and anesthetic agents.

This nutraceutical features key vitamins, minerals and antioxidants at much higher, yet safe, levels than a typical multi to restore damaged tissue. Importantly, the specialty formula excludes vitamin E and other herbals which can be problematic and should be avoided around the time of surgery.

The two-part program is formulated with extra vitamin Avitamin C & bioflavonoidscopperselenium, and zinc to support healing. The formula also uses chronotherapy to provide the right nutrients at the right time of day. This approach takes into consideration that our bodies’ requirements for certain nutrients differ based on the time of day.

For this reason, the morning formulation contains the bulk of vitamins (especially the B-complex) to support daytime activity levels. Conversely, the evening formulation contains the bulk of minerals to promote rest and relaxation.

 

How much do I take? 

The recommended dosing is 3 tablets, taken with breakfast or lunch, and 3 tablets taken with dinner or before bedtime. Patients should begin taking Clinical Support Program 14 days prior to surgery and continue taking the product 14 days following surgery.

What types of procedures will benefit?

Individuals with impaired wound healing, particularly diabetics, smokers. Comprehensive surgeries such as a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty),  breast lift, breast reduction or breast reconstruction, facelift.

Putting it all Together

Based on the above, Arnica is used primarily for bruising, Bromelain for inflammation and swelling, and Clinical Support for wound healing. Remember, the demands on the body are much higher during the healing process, and it is important to a eat healthy diet during this period of surgery preparation and recovery. You can take a proactive approach by remembering your ABCs.  Augmenting your diet with VitaMedica’s Arnica MontanaBromelain with Quercetin and Clinical Support Program will help simplify and speed the healing process.