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
Shopping cart filled with various medication packages and pills, symbolizing drugs to avoid before plastic surgery procedures, relevant to patient safety and pre-operative care at Virginia Center for Plastic Surgery.
Woman cooking in a modern kitchen, smiling while stirring a pot, with fresh vegetables including red peppers and avocado in the foreground, emphasizing healthy eating before plastic surgery procedures.

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
Smiling female healthcare professional in a white coat discussing patient care in a plastic surgery office, emphasizing pre-operative consultation for procedures like mommy makeover and rhinoplasty in 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.