According to a study published in February’s Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), herbal supplements could cause dangerous side effects during plastic surgery. The study foundthat approximately 55% of plastic surgery patients, compared to 24% of the general public, take supplements but often do not tell their surgeons. “When patients are asked about the medications they are taking, many do not mention medicinal herbs because they assume that they are safe,” said ASPS member James Bradley, MD, study co-author. “What many unsuspecting patients don’t know is that the natural herbs they are taking may cause serious complications during and after surgery.”
All 55% of plastic surgery patients who used herbal supplements took at least two different supplements and at least one on a daily basis. The most popular supplements were chondroitin (18%), ephedra (14%) and glucosamine (10%).
ASPS claims the following:
• Chondroitin is often used to treat osteoarthritis. People using chondroitin may suffer from bleeding complications during surgery, particularly when used in combination with doctor-prescribed blood-thinning medications.
• Ephedra has been known to promote weight loss, increase energy and treat respiratory tract conditions like asthma and bronchitis. This agent has been banned by the FDA because it can raise blood arrhythmia, and potentially cause stroke and even death.
• Echinacea is often used for the prevention and treatment of viral, bacterial and fungal infections, as well as chronic wounds, ulcers and arthritis. However, it can trigger immunosuppression, causing poor wound healing and infection.
• Glucosamine, often used in conjunction with chondroitin, contains chemical elements that mimic human insulin, and may artificially cause hypoglycemia during surgery.