Can Herbal Supplements Affect My Healing After Plastic Surgery?

Can herbal supplements such as green tea and ginko biloba have a negative effect on my body’s healing ability after plastic surgery?  For this question, the answer is YES.  Even if the package says “all natural ingredients,” it does not always mean that they would not cause some kind of harm.

While taking herbal supplements has its own advantages, this is not the case if you will undergo plastic surgery or any kind of operation.  This is because some of the ingredients used have been known to affect healing and natural blood clothing, thereby increasing your risk of skin necrosis (or gangrene), infection, and increased bleeding during and after surgery.

These are just some of the most commonly used herbal supplements you must avoid at least two weeks before and after your plastic surgery (e.g., breast augmentation, liposuction, facelift, body lift, etc.). 

·         Ephedra

Ephedra is often used in treatments for a wide range of respiratory problems such as asthma and bronchitis, although certain weight loss medications and “energy” supplements also contain this ingredient.

However, the US Food and Drug Administration has banned the ingredient after studies have suggested it can raise the blood pressure and heart rate, something which may lead to heart attack and stroke.

·         Chondroitin

As a treatment for people suffering from osteoarthritis, Chondroitin has been found to increase bleeding during surgery and delay one’s recovery.  Its effect can be further aggravated if you are taking other blood-thinning medications such aspirin and all types of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g., ibuprofen and naproxen).

·         Glucosamine

The effects of this agent are the same as the insulin, thereby increasing your risk of hypoglycemia during surgery.  This complication happens when your blood sugar drops to a dangerous level. 

·         Echinacea

Commonly used for the treatment of bacterial, fungal, and viral infection caused by ulcers, arthritis, and chronic wound.  But studies suggested that this ingredient can suppress your body’s immune system, leading to delayed healing.

Just to be on the safe side, you should tell your plastic surgeon all about your current medications and herbal supplements during consultation.  Take note that even those which contain garlic, ginseng, gingko biloba, and other seemingly harmless, everyday ingredients can affect your healing ability.

In case that you are taking these herbal supplements and certain medications that can affect your healing, your plastic surgeon will ask you to stop these at least two weeks before surgery.

Best and Worst Celebrity Plastic Surgery 2011

The year 2011 has ended great or worse for some celebrities who have always been the most ardent patrons of cosmetic plastic surgery.  While some have managed to improve their looks, others have fallen into their obsession and ended up with a not-so-flattering appearance.

This is a list of best and worst celebrity cosmetic surgery of 2011:

·         Lil’ Kim

She used to look naturally beautiful, but with bad plastic surgery, she ended up having too prominent cheeks and a too pointy nose that almost resembles that of the late King of Pop Michael Jackson.

Another notable change is her bust size.  However, it seems that the 4’11” singer has gone overboard with her outrageously large breastimplants.  It could have been better if she chose smaller ones to fit her petite frame.

·         Kate Hudson

Kate Hudson is a perfect example of a good breast augmentation surgery.  She only asked for small breast implants to better fit her petite frame, giving her a nice B cup from a “double A.”  Because of the natural look she has achieved, not everyone is even convinced that she had plastic surgery, with some even saying that she might have started using “good” push-up bras.

While Kate has not yet confirmed if she went under the knife, her previous photos show the “subtle” improvements.

·         Ashlee Simpson

Her previous nose was too large.  But with a good rhinoplasty surgeon, she now has a smaller, delicate-looking nose that complements her face.  However, the singer is still denying having plastic surgery.

·         Joan Rivers

Over the past several years, television personality Joan Rivers has always been included in the list of worst plastic surgery.  But despite the notoriety of her obsession, she still continues to make some “tweaks” here and there that it is hard to tell how many cosmetic surgeries she had and is planning to have.

·         Jane Fonda

Joan Rivers should learn from Jane Fonda who had facelift, eyelid lift, and necklift.  The actress looks younger and refreshed nowadays, without looking like a wind just blew her face—a manifestation of bad facial plastic surgery.

·         Donatella Versace

The Italian fashion designer may be talented in making fashionable clothes but is probably clueless when it comes to “ideal beauty.”  With her swollen, stretched out lips and her unflattering tan, or sometimes orange complexion, she definitely looks “unglamorous.”

·         Megan Fox

While the sultry actress has repeatedly denied having plastic surgery, it is really hard to refute that her looks are solely from good genes.  Some doctors claim that she had nose job and eyelid surgery to make herself one of the most gorgeous celebrities in Hollywood.  But even if the cosmetic procedures are just plain rumors or real—and her appearance is just created by talented makeup artists and good photoshop skills—she looks stunningly beautiful.

·         Heidi Montag

The reality tv star admitted to have had 10 plastic surgeries in one day.  In 2010, she had buttock augmentation, breast implant surgery, brow lift, Botox injection on her forehead, liposuction on her midsection, neck liposuction, fat injection on her face, chin reduction, ear pinning, and nose job.

But just after several months of her extreme makeover, she said during an interview that she regretted her surgeries.

·         Jennifer Aniston

The actress has previously admitted to have had nose surgeries, although she claimed that these were done to correct her deviated septum, which is the strip of tissue separating the two nostrils.  But whether she had the procedures for cosmetic or reconstructive reasons, she looks more gorgeous these days.

·         Nadya Suleman

The “Octomom” had tummytuck surgery after giving birth to octuplets.  However, her plastic surgeon had probably gone overboard as her abdomen now appears too flat that it has no definition or contour.  Plus, her navel looks like it was created by making a vertical slit, making it hard to deny that she had the procedure.

·         Lisa Rinna

The television host and actress had definitely joined the bandwagon of celebrities with a larger-than-life lip.  While this is a growing trend among famous people, any self-respecting plastic surgeon would definitely not agree with the swollen, stretched out lips.

Also, Lisa’s multiple facial plastic surgeries left her with an unnaturally smooth, windswept appearance.  Meanwhile, she was quoted saying in 2009 that she regretted going overboard with cosmetic procedures.

·         Jocelyn Wildenstein

The wealthy socialite, dubbed as the “Lion Queen” and the “Cat Lady,” has been reported to spend a whopping $4 million just to look like a feline.  For several years, she has managed to make it to the list of worst plastic surgery.

·         Ellen DeGeneres

While Ellen has not yet confirmed if she had plasticsurgery, it is hard to deny that she looks younger and refreshed nowadays.  Some cosmetic surgeons assume that she may have had facelift, eyelid lift, laser skin resurfacing, Botox, and/or neck lift. 

Ellen is a perfect example of “natural look” after facial plastic surgery.