The Best Plastic Surgery
Recovery Supplements
This is NOT MEDICAL ADVICE.
You should ALWAYS speak with your plastic surgeon about which supplements are appropriate for you post op.
Medical opinions differ from one surgeon to the next,
so never make an assumption that since you saw it on social media that it is ok to take it.
Supplements listed here are generally considered safe by many doctors, but your doc may think otherwise.
Double check with them before ordering.
Do You Know Where Your Supplements Come From?
(You Should.)
When you order from Fullscript, you are guaranteed high quality, responsible shipping, and you can take advantage of my 10% discount! AND, you can even use your HSA or FSA cards to make purchases!
When you click on the Fullscript banner, you will first see a page to enter your email address. Then you will create an account.
After that you will see two boxes: “View Catalog” (where you can shop at your leisure), and another one that says “Protocols“. The protocols button is where you will find the Post Op supplements recommendations.
There is a bit of text at the top of the page where you can expand it to read more about each supplement and see the research behind each one.
A Note About the Links on This Page
Links below this line on this page contain many ad links to amazon. I strongly recommend using the link above for the FullScript dispensary to be sure you are purchasing from a more reputable dispensary.
Alternatively, you may use the links below labeled “FullScript Link” to ensure you are getting the most reliable product. If no alternate link for FullScript exists, it is because they do not deal directly with that particular manufacturer.
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Amino Acid Nutritional Supplements
Juven is a nutritional supplement that is clinically proven to speed wound healing by 67%. It works by enhancing collagen synthesis by supplying specialized amino acids and collagen.
It is recommended to take Juven twice daily for a minimum of 2 weeks to support the healing of your incisions.
Juven works great after both surgery and injuries.
Juven is pretty pricey. While the supplement has had good reviews, many people are on a budget. You can also get a reliable amino acid supplement instead – such as the one below by Klaire Labs. Similar product, very different price.
(FullScript link)
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Bromelain for Bruising Post Op
Bromelain is clinically proven to reduce bruising and inflammation, promote wound healing, and act as an anti-thrombotic (blood clots) agent.
(Full Script Link)
Derived from pineapple, bromelain has been used for centuries. Using the supplement is better than the commonly advertised pineapple teas and pineapple juice because they are heated (either to serve or via pasteurization). The supplement is also better than fresh pineapple in many cases as bromelain is found in the core which is usually not eaten.
Bromelain
(Natural Proteolytic Enzyme)
(Amazon link)
Magnesium
Magnesium is a natural supplement that helps with constipation post-op. Anesthesia slows down the gut for several days. Many people opt to take stool softeners or laxatives to remedy the problem, but they are a type of stimulant and can cause straining.
Calm, Magnesium Citrate Supplement
(Amazon link)
Magnesium is not a stimulant. Its presence in the gut draws additional water into the bowel which causes movement to happen naturally. The Calm brand comes in either a powder so you can adjust how much you take, or as gummies. Pro tip: start with a little and give it 6-12 hours before trying more.
(FullScript link)
This is the same stuff as Calm, but in a pill form.
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Serrapeptase
Serrapeptase is a type of proteolytic enzyme that reduces inflammation and leads to less scarring – both at the point of incision and beneath the skin.
(FullScript Link)
Serrapeptase is great to use if you have fibrosis or have a lot of stiff tissue post op.
Natural Vitamin C
Vitamin C is critical for building new collagen after surgery (important for skin tightening), but most vitamin C supplements are artificial and cause stomach problems and gas.
Camu Camu is a plant high in vitamin C, giving you the necessary building blocks for collagen production without causing gas and bloating.
Another option for Vitamin C that does not upset the stomach as much as most vitamin C supplements is
Liposomal Vitamin C.
(FullScript link)
Supplements to Avoid
Herbs, Vitamins, and Medications
That Can Interfere with Plastic Surgery
There are many common supplements and medicines that we buy over the counter and believe that they are harmless because they are easy to obtain (like aspirin) or because they are a natural substance. Many of these things can interfere with your surgery by making it hard to clot (a necessary process to stop bleeding) or they have other undesirable effects.
- Vitamin E
- Chromium
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Ginkgo
- Goldenseal
- Ginseng
- Feverfew
- Flaxseed
- Fish oil
- Echinacea
- Licorice
- Saw Palmetto
- Ephedra
- Kava-Kava
- St. John’s Wort
- Valerian Root
- Appetite Suppressants (including herbal ones)
- Pain killers that are also blood thinners such as aspirin, Motrin, Advil