Medications to Avoid before and after Plastic Surgery

Before committing to any plastic surgery, it is important to understand the risks involved, and how to avoid any potential problems during or after surgery. One factor that can cause complications is the use of certain medications, herbs and even vitamins. During your consultation at Crawford Plastic Surgery, Dr. Marcus Crawford will review your medical history and help you plan in advance how to properly prepare for plastic surgery. Dr. Crawford will make sure you clearly understand which medications, herbs and vitamins to avoid before and after plastic surgery. To give you a better idea of what you will review in your consultation, here is a quick overview of which medications you should steer clear of at least two weeks before and after your surgery.

NSAIDs: NSAIDs are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that reduce inflammation and pain, but they also have a blood thinning effect. NSAIDs are more commonly recognized by over-the-counter names including Ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil, Bayer, etc. If you have any questions about whether or not the medication you are taking is classified as an NSAID, and may cause thinning of the blood, please consult Dr. Crawford.

Aspirin: While medications that contain aspirin can provide pain relief, they should be strictly avoided before and after plastic surgery. Common medications that contain aspirin include cold tablets, Bayer, Alka-Seltzer, and many more. Again, to find out more information about whether or not your medication includes aspirin, consult the product label, a doctor, or a pharmacist. If you are in need of a pain reliever, acetaminophen products such as Tylenol are usually recommended, and considered safe to take before and after surgery.

Tricyclic Antidepressants: Any tricyclic antidepressant such as Avently, Desipramine, Protriptyline, and many others can potentially increase blood pressure, and may interact negatively with other drugs used during surgery. Since it is generally not safe to just stop taking tricyclic antidepressants suddenly, make sure to properly plan to safely reduce your dosage or take an alternative medication (under the guidance of your doctor), and then stop taking them up to two weeks before surgery. This will help you avoid any potential problems before, during and after surgery.

Herbs & Vitamins: Herbs and vitamins are often considered a daily staple for many healthy individuals. Herbs and vitamins have many healthful properties, but they also may cause complications during surgery. Often certain herbs and vitamins can cause problems with medications used for anesthesia. As a result, make sure to avoid certain herbs and vitamins, including St. John's wort , ginkgo biloba, garlic, ginger, ginseng, and vitamin E,  before surgery and after surgery for a couple weeks.

It is important to prepare for any plastic surgery by reviewing the list of medications you take with Dr. Crawford. Setting up a plan to prepare for surgery will help you avoid poor interaction with anesthesia or pain medication, thinning of the blood and any negative cardiovascular effects.

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Crawford, contact us today! Dr. Crawford will be happy to meet with you at our Marietta or Hiram office.