Supplements and Surgery Part 2: Anti-Aging, Exercise and Cellular Health Supplements
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Thinking about rhinoplasty (a "nose job") in Ottawa? It's an exciting step towards achieving the look you desire. As you prepare for your procedure with Dr. Bonaparte, focusing on your health and safety is paramount. One crucial aspect of preparation that often gets overlooked is the use of vitamins, herbal remedies, and dietary supplements. Although many people are familiar with traditional vitamins and minerals, there is increasing use and interest in new and more experimental supplements. Dr Bonaparte doesn’t recommend nor is he an expert in the usefulness of these supplements, however we can provide some guidance and help you discuss this knowledgeably with your doctor.
Many people take supplements for fitness, anti-aging, or general wellness. While often seen as "natural" and harmless, these products contain active ingredients that can significantly affect your body, especially during surgery. For a delicate procedure like rhinoplasty, managing potential risks is key to a safe experience and beautiful results.
This guide, although not exhaustive, explains why managing supplement use is vital for your Ottawa rhinoplasty and highlights specific supplements you should discuss with Dr. Bonaparte.
The Golden Rule: Stop Supplements Before Your Rhinoplasty
Most medical experts, including the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), agree: stop taking most, if not all, herbal and dietary supplements 1 to 3 weeks before your scheduled surgery. A common and safe guideline is to stop at least two weeks prior. But always discuss this with your surgeon.
It is also important to remember, many of these supplements lack high quality studies into the surgery risks, so its always critical you are open and honest with your surgeon and any other health care staff taking care of you.
Why is this so important for your rhinoplasty journey in Ottawa?
Bleeding Risk: This is a major concern. Many popular supplements thin the blood or affect clotting. Think fish oil, garlic, ginkgo, ginger, ginseng, turmeric, and high-dose Vitamin E. Rhinoplasty requires precise control of bleeding. Too much bleeding or bruising can affect your surgical outcome and recovery.
Anesthesia Interactions: Some supplements can interfere with the medications used to keep you comfortable and safe during surgery (anesthesia). Herbs like valerian, kava, St. John's Wort, melatonin, and ashwagandha can increase sedation, potentially leading to a slower wake-up or breathing issues. Others might affect how anesthesia works or how your body processes the drugs.
Heart and Blood Pressure Issues: Certain supplements can cause your blood pressure or heart rate to fluctuate unpredictably. Stimulants like ephedra (sometimes found in older weight loss products) are particularly risky. Others like CoQ10 or garlic might lower blood pressure. Stable vital signs are crucial during your surgery.
Healing Concerns: Optimal healing is essential after your nose surgery. High doses of Vitamin E, for example, might slow healing. While good nutrition is important for recovery (think protein, maybe moderate Vitamin C, D, and Zinc if approved by Dr. Bonaparte), taking unprescribed high-dose supplements right before surgery is generally discouraged.
Lack of Regulation: Unlike prescription drugs, the supplement industry isn't tightly regulated. What's on the label might not be what's in the bottle – amounts can vary, and sometimes products contain unlisted ingredients. This makes their effects unpredictable.
The most important step? Talk to your surgeon or doctor! Many people don't think to mention supplements because they don't consider them "medicine". Be sure to tell Dr. Bonaparte about everything you take – pills, powders, teas, oils – during your Ottawa rhinoplasty consultation. Bringing the bottles with you is a great idea.
Specific Supplements and Your Rhinoplasty: What You Need to Know
Let's look at the supplements you asked about and others commonly used:
Fish Oil (Omega-3s)
Why People Take It: For heart health, cholesterol, and inflammation.
The Risk: Fish oil is well-known for its blood-thinning effect, which can increase bleeding and bruising during and after rhinoplasty.
Recommendation: Stop taking fish oil 1-2 weeks before your surgery with Dr. Bonaparte. While some newer research in other types of surgery suggests the bleeding risk might be lower than previously thought, for delicate facial surgery like rhinoplasty, the standard advice is still to stop.
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
Why People Take It: For heart conditions, energy, and statin side effects.
The Risk: CoQ10 might lower blood pressure. Its effect on blood clotting is unclear – some sources say it might increase clotting (interfering with blood thinners like warfarin), while others list it as potentially increasing bleeding risk. This uncertainty makes it risky before surgery. It might also affect blood sugar.
Recommendation: Stop CoQ10 at least 2 weeks before your Ottawa rhinoplasty.
Turmeric (Curcumin)
Why People Take It: As an anti-inflammatory for arthritis and other conditions.
The Risk: Turmeric can thin the blood (antiplatelet effect), increasing bleeding risk. It might also lower blood pressure and blood sugar and can interact with many medications. Note: Cooking with turmeric spice is generally fine; the concern is with concentrated supplements.
Recommendation: Stop turmeric/curcumin supplements at least 1-2 weeks (some sources say longer) before surgery.
Resveratrol
Why People Take It: As an antioxidant for anti-aging and heart health.
The Risk: Resveratrol may slow blood clotting, increasing bleeding risk. It can also interact with medications processed by the liver and might have estrogen-like effects.
Recommendation: Stop resveratrol supplements at least 2 weeks before your procedure.
Ashwagandha
Why People Take It: To manage stress, anxiety, and improve sleep.
The Risk: Its calming effect can dangerously add to the effects of anesthesia and sedation used during surgery. It might also lower blood pressure and blood sugar, affect thyroid hormones, or stimulate the immune system. Rare liver issues have also been reported.
Recommendation: Stop ashwagandha at least 2 weeks before your surgery with Dr. Bonaparte.
Creatine
Why People Take It: For athletic performance and muscle building.
The Risk: Primarily concerns kidney function and hydration. While generally safe for healthy people, high doses could strain kidneys or affect fluid balance during surgery. Importantly, creatine can raise blood creatinine levels, a marker doctors use to check kidney function after surgery. This makes it harder to tell if your kidneys are doing okay post-op.
Recommendation: While less commonly listed than herbs, it's wise to discuss creatine use with Dr. Bonaparte and consider stopping it 1-2 weeks before surgery to avoid potential issues and ensure clear kidney monitoring.
NMN (Nicotinamide Mononucleotide) & Similar "Anti-Aging" Supplements (NAD+ Boosters)
Why People Take It: To boost NAD+ levels for potential anti-aging benefits, energy, and metabolism.
The Risk: The main risk is the unknown. These are newer supplements without much safety data, especially around surgery. How they affect your body's response to the stress of surgery and anesthesia isn't well understood. There are also concerns about product quality and potential negative effects seen in some animal studies.
Recommendation: Given the lack of safety information for surgery, stop NMN, NR, and similar NAD+ boosters at least 2 weeks before your rhinoplasty.
Other Fitness Supplements (Pre-Workouts, BCAAs)
Pre-Workouts: Often contain stimulants (like caffeine or ingredients similar to the banned ephedra, such as bitter orange) that can cause dangerous heart rate and blood pressure spikes during anesthesia. Many also have "proprietary blends," meaning you don't know exactly what's in them or how much. Recommendation: Stop all pre-workout supplements at least 2 weeks before surgery.
BCAAs (Branched-Chain Amino Acids): Popular for muscle growth and recovery. The main surgical concern is their potential to affect blood sugar levels, which need to be carefully managed during and after surgery. Recommendation: Stop BCAA supplements at least 2 weeks before surgery.
Other Cellular Aging / Antioxidant Supplements
High-Dose Vitamins (E, C):
Vitamin E: Consistently linked to increased bleeding risk. Stop high doses (over 40 IU mentioned in one source ) at least 2 weeks before surgery. A standard multivitamin is usually okay.
Vitamin C: Advice is mixed. Some sources suggest stopping high doses due to potential scarring issues , while others list it among supplements to avoid generally. High doses (>1000mg/day mentioned ) are best avoided pre-operatively unless specifically discussed with Dr. Bonaparte. Some sources list moderate doses as potentially safe or even helpful if approved well in advance.
Other Antioxidants (Beta-carotene, Selenium, Zinc): While essential in your diet, high-dose supplements may not always be beneficial and can sometimes interfere with body processes or even carry risks (like beta-carotene supplements in smokers 63). Recommendation: Avoid high-dose antioxidant supplements before surgery unless specifically approved by Dr. Bonaparte.
Your Safety is the Priority for Your Ottawa Rhinoplasty
Achieving the best rhinoplasty results with Dr. Bonaparte in Ottawa involves careful planning and prioritizing your safety. Supplements, while popular, can introduce risks like bleeding or anesthesia interactions.
The most crucial steps you can take are:
Full Disclosure: Tell Dr. Bonaparte or your surgeon and the anesthesia team about every supplement and medication you take during your consultation with Dr Bonaparte.
Follow Instructions: Adhere strictly to the advice given by Dr. Bonaparte's team vregarding stopping supplements, typically at least two weeks before your surgery unless otherwise noted.
By working closely with Dr. Bonaparte and his team, you can ensure a safe and smooth rhinoplasty experience, helping you achieve the beautiful, natural-looking results you desire right here in Ottawa.
