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Be Sure To Tell Your Beverly Hills Cosmetic Surgeon About All the Medications You Are Taking. Prescription – And Nonprescription
By admin | November 20, 2009
Be Sure To Tell Your Beverly Hills Cosmetic Surgeon About All the Medications You Are Taking. Prescription – And Nonprescription
In the medical journal, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, in 2008, a study noted that “approximately 55% of plastic surgery patients . . . take supplements but often do not tell their surgeons.”
An article in The New York Times said that “70% of the adults in the United States are taking a variety of vitamins, herbs, minerals, supplements and that is an increasing trend as people tend to take more responsibility for their health.
All these are fine of they do not interfere with surgery.
Los Angeles plastic surgeons have learned that this does present a risky situation because while supplements are non-prescription, they may well have some effect on vital body functions particularly blood clotting. Now, supplements can mean homeopathic medications, over-the-counter medications, but whatever they are, they can render an effect particularly if there is an adverse combination with a prescription medication. Patients need to be reminded that it is important to share all their medical information with the doctor. Often cosmetic plastic surgery patients tend to minimize the medical significance of the procedure since it is referred to as “only cosmetic surgery”. But surgery is surgery and since these are done under anesthesia, the principles of safe anesthesia are no different for a cosmetic nasal plastic surgery or face and neck lift or for open heart surgery.
The doctor needs to be sure to ask enough questions to determine what medications you are taking. While people do remember when they take medications for thyroid problems or heart problems or blood pressure, they often forget to mention that they may be taking a dosage of substances that have an effect on vital organs or body function. Among the non-prescription, over-the-counter medications, that have the potential for the most serious interactions are the “Five G’s”: Garlic, Ginkgo Biloba, Ginger, Goldenseal and Ginseng. And, if you are taking any weight loss medication, indicate that also.
For your safety, be sure to list all your medications, discuss them with your doctor, and, of course, be sure to also discuss them with your anesthesia specialist prior to surgery.
Topics: Cosmetic Plastic Surgery, Cosmetic Surgery, Rhinoplasty | No Comments »