Medications &
Plastic Surgery

There are many commonly used medications that may have an adverse impact on the outcome of your plastic surgery procedure. It is important to be aware of the risks associated with consuming these drugs immediately before, during, and after your procedure. If you regularly use any of the drugs listed below, be sure to discuss this with Alexandria plastic surgeon Dr. Eric Desman at your initial cosmetic surgery consultation.

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
super market cart with medicines 
smiling woman cooking 

Foods to Limit

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 before 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
Plastic Surgery Office Alexandria

Herbal Medications & 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 for your procedure by discussing your use of these medications with Dr. Desman during 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.