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Common Drugs to Avoid
You should avoid using the following over-the-counter and commonly prescribed medications before your surgery. All products containing aspirin should be stopped as part of your preparation. If you have a headache or minor pain, you may take Tylenol (acetaminophen).
Please remember that the following list is not comprehensive. If you regularly take any medications, it is important to tell Dr. Desman at your initial consultation:
- Advil
- Aleve
- Alka-Seltzer
- Bufferin
- Celebrex
- Fiorinal
- Ibuprofen
- Midol
- Naproxen
- Motrin
- Pepto-Bismol
- Propoxyphene
- Sine-Aid
- Sinutab
- Triaminicin
- Vitamin C > 1000 mg/day
- Vitamin E
![smiling woman cooking](https://vcps.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/food-cook.jpg)
Foods to be Limited
Many common foods contain chemicals that are similar to aspirin and therefore affect blood clotting. It is best to limit your intake of these foods for two weeks prior to your surgery:
- Almonds
- Apricots
- Berries
- Cherries
- Cucumbers
- Curry
- Grapes
- Grape juice
- Jellies
- Nectarines
- Oranges
- Peaches
- Pickles
- Plums
- Prunes
- Raisins
- Tomatoes and tomato products
- Wine
- Vinegar
Herbal Medications and Plastic Surgery
Herbal medicines are medicinal products that contain plant materials as their pharmacologically active components. Many herbal remedies can lead to potentially adverse effects and drug interactions. You can improve your chances for an optimal outcome to your procedure by discussing your use of these medications with Dr. Desman at your initial consultation. Also, we recommend that you stop using these supplements at least 14 days prior to your surgery.
Please contact our experienced plastic surgeon today to schedule your initial consultation. The Virginia Center for Plastic Surgery serves patients in Alexandria, Northern Virginia, and Washington, DC.