Improving your Surgical Recovery with Supplements Before & After Cosmetic Surgery
Dr Mark Doyle, Specialist Plastic Surgeon at Gold Coast Plastic Surgery, believes that being in optimal health for any major surgery is essential for boosting your post-operation recovery. He has compiled a list of pre-op and post-op supplements that can help smooth your surgical journey.
“When your body is about to endure stress, as it will on the operating table, you must be physically and mentally prepared. Feeding your body the right nutrition can majorly impact your recovery and help you get back on your feet,” said Dr Doyle.
Of course, stopping unhealthy habits (such as smoking and eating junk food) in the weeks leading up to surgery is key for limiting risk. And we all know how difficult it can be to break a habit! That’s why we’re not going to tell you which habits to stop. We’re going to tell you which to start…
Introducing new and healthy habits into your routine can make you feel more confident as your surgery date quickly approaches.
Publications by the US National Library of Medicine (see below) understand that good nutritional status is essential for wound healing and can majorly reduce the incidence of infection after surgery. The right nutrition may even reduce the length of hospital stays and improve metabolic and clinical outcomes. Eating more Vitamin A & C and Zinc rich foods and taking Bromelain & Arnica may assist your healing.
Gold Coast Plastic Surgery stocks products provided by Orthoplex and BioMedica that encourage support in all areas of healing and recovery. These supplements are practitioner-only Australian nutritional supplements.
Taking Pre-Op Supplements – Before Your Cosmetic Plastic surgery
If you’re looking to undergo major surgery, consider getting your hands on these supplements for the 10 days leading up to your surgery. This nutritional support guide is tailored to reduce excessive and/or prolonged inflammation for rapid healing and recovery.
Collagen Pro
Collagen is a major protein found in the body. It makes up connective tissues that bind your skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments. Increasing your Collagen intake strengthens the body’s ability to heal and remodel after injury or stress. It can also significantly lessen healing time.
Suggestion – One (1) Collagen Pro tablet should be taken 3 times daily, after each meal (breakfast, lunch and dinner) for 10 days prior to surgery.
Ultra Buffered C
Ultra Buffered C contains a large range of antioxidants to support against inflammation that follows major surgery. It contains Rutin, which has anti-inflammatory effects, making it beneficial for trauma and soft tissue injury. Vitamin C is involved in creating strong connective tissues, promoting healing, resolving bruising and reducing inflammation.
Suggestion – One (1) teaspoon of Ultra Buffered C should be taken twice daily, after food (breakfast and dinner) for 10 days prior to surgery.
CurcuForte
Curcumin is a yellow pigment found in Tumeric, a plant of the ginger family. It contains anti-inflammatory properties and has the ability to increase the amount of antioxidants that the body produces. As well as this, Curcumin is known to reduce pain, support collagen repair as well as support liver detoxification.
Suggestion – One (1) Curcumin tablet should be taken 3 times daily, after each meal (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and should be ceased 14 days prior to and post surgery.
Omega Ease
This supplement improves cardiovascular function by promoting the growth of new blood vessels. It is an anti-inflammatory and increases immune function, helping your body fight off infection. Research indicates that by supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids, pre-operatively, that there is a significant decrease in post-operative infection and shorter lengths of hospital stay through improved immunity.
Suggestion – One (1) tablet of Omega Ease should be taken twice daily, after food (breakfast and dinner) and should be ceased 14 days prior to and post surgery.
Taking Post-Op Supplements – After Your Plastic Surgery
The following supplements should be continued and completed as part of your recovery plan. These 3 supplements should be taken for 10 days following your surgery for the ultimate, boosted recovery.
Bromelain
Bromelain decreases the sensation of pain by limiting the chemicals that sense pain when inflammation occurs. It has been shown to accelerate the healing of bruising, when commenced immediately after injury. It may alleviate the swelling and inflammation associated with wounds and enhances the effectiveness of antibiotics through increased absorption. It also has cosmetic and wound strength support as it gradually dissolves damaged collagen in the skin, making way for the replacement of new, fresh collagen.
Suggestion – Two (2) Bromelain tablets should be taken three times daily, on an empty stomach (BEFORE breakfast, lunch and dinner) for 10 days after surgery.
Bromelain with Quercetin
Bromelain with Quercetin has been found to be beneficial for wound healing and scar formation.
Quercetin is a plant-derived flavonoid found in green and black tea, apples and grains. It inhibits the production of histamines which prevents inflammation as well as speeds up the recovery process following surgery!
Quercetin should be taken for one week immediately following your procedure so that you can get back on track quickly without any extra discomfort associated with healing.
Quercetin supplements have natural antihistamine properties making it an effective treatment against inflammatory diseases such as its use to help heal surgical wounds more effectively than ever before.
Repairase
Containing Zinc, this product improves wound healing, immune function and skin health. This can have an overall impact on the appearance of scars by encouraging the skin’s repair.
Suggestion – One (1) teaspoon of Repariase should be taken two times daily after food (breakfast and dinner) for 10-14 days after surgery.
BONUS! – Traumeel Cream may help reduce inflammation and pain after surgery
Readily available at your local chemist, Traumeel is a topical ointment that works by reducing inflammation to temporarily relieve pain. It reduces your healing time by resolving swelling and bruising quickly.
Suggestion – Traumeel cream should be applied to area of bruising four times daily until completely healed. Do not apply on an open wound.
Further Reading and Medical References on Nutrition and Supplements
- Nutrition and Wound Healing
- Nutritional and Wound Healing Benefits of taking Curcumin
- Supplements that Optimising Healing after Plastic Surgery
Follow Dr Doyle’s Supplement & Nutrition plan for better surgical recovery and results
Dr Mark Doyle recommends to all his Cosmetic Plastic surgery patients follow this supplement plan to achieve the best possible outcomes.
“Taking these Nutraceuticals and supplements can improve your ability to cope with post-surgical recovery, both mentally and physically. When used correctly, I’ve noticed a reduced occurrence of complications following major surgery, and people tend to be feeling better, faster,” said Dr Doyle.
DISCLAIMER – This article does not constitute medical advice – Always get a second opinion from your doctor before taking supplements or commencing your recovery plan.
About Dr Mark Doyle FRACS (Plas) – Queensland Plastic Surgeon
Servicing patients in Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Cairns and New South Wales NSW – Northern Rivers, Byron Bay, Ballina, Lismore and more.
Dr Mark Doyle is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon with over thirty years of experience performing Breast, Body, Face and Nose surgery. Dr Doyle is a fully qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon with 30+ years of experience. He has completed all required training and only carries out approved surgical practices. There are absolutely NO undertrained doctors or cosmetic doctors acting as surgeons in our clinic.
As a highly esteemed plastic surgeon, Dr Mark is committed to achieving the best possible results for all his breast, body, face and nose patients, both men and women.
