Nutritional Supplements

Juven is a nutritional supplement that is clinically proven to speed wound healing by 67%. It works by enhancing collagen synthesis by supplying specialized amino acids and collagen.

Juven by Ensure plastic surgery recovery supplement

Juven Therapeutic Nutrition Drink Mix Powder for Wound Healing Support, Includes Collagen Protein

It is recommended to take Juven twice daily for a minimum of 2 weeks to support the healing of your incisions.

Juven works great after both surgery and injuries.

Juven is pretty pricey. While the supplement has had good reviews, many people are on a budget. You can also get a reliable amino acid supplement instead – such as the one below by Klaire Labs. Similar product, very different price.

Bromelain for Bruising Post Op
Bromelain is clinically proven to reduce bruising and inflammation, promote wound healing, and act as an anti-thrombotic (blood clots) agent.

Derived from pineapple, bromelain has been used for centuries. Using the supplement is better than the commonly advertised pineapple teas and pineapple juice because they are heated (either to serve or via pasteurization). The supplement is also better than fresh pineapple in many cases as bromelain is found in the core which is usually not eaten.

Bromelain to take after plastic surgery

Bromelain
(Natural Proteolytic Enzyme)

Magnesium
Magnesium is a natural supplement that helps with constipation post-op. Anesthesia slows down the gut for several days. Many people opt to take stool softeners or laxatives to remedy the problem, but they are a type of stimulant and can cause straining.
Magnesium for post op constipation recovery plastic surgery

Calm, Magnesium Citrate Supplement

Magnesium is not a stimulant. Its presence in the gut draws additional water into the bowel which causes movement to happen naturally. The Calm brand comes in either a powder so you can adjust how much you take, or as gummies. Pro tip: start with a little and give it 6-12 hours before trying more.

This is the same stuff as Calm, but in a pill form.

Serrapeptase
Serrapeptase is a type of proteolytic enzyme that reduces inflammation and leads to less scarring – both at the point of incision and beneath the skin.

Serrapeptase is great to use if you have fibrosis or have a lot of stiff tissue post op.

serrapeptase for post op recovery plastic surgery scar fibrosis

High Potency Serrapeptase

Natural Vitamin C
Vitamin C is critical for building new collagen after surgery (important for skin tightening), but most vitamin C supplements are artificial and cause stomach problems and gas.
camu camu vitamin c for post op recovery plastic surgery
Organic Camu Camu – Nature’s C Concentrated Extract

Camu Camu is a plant high in vitamin C, giving you the necessary building blocks for collagen production without causing gas and bloating.

Another option for Vitamin C that does not upset the stomach as much as most vitamin C supplements is
Liposomal Vitamin C.

Supplements to Avoid
Herbs, Vitamins, and Medications
That Can Interfere with Plastic Surgery
There are many common supplements and medicines that we buy over the counter and believe that they are harmless because they are easy to obtain (like aspirin) or because they are a natural substance. Many of these things can interfere with your surgery by making it hard to clot (a necessary process to stop bleeding) or they have other undesirable effects.

Vitamin E
Chromium
Garlic
Ginger
Ginkgo
Goldenseal
Ginseng
Feverfew
Flaxseed
Fish oil
Echinacea
Licorice
Saw Palmetto
Ephedra
Kava-Kava
St. John’s Wort
Valerian Root