Surgery Products

Like any type of invasive procedure, surgical outcome tends to improve when the patient is in good physical health. Optimizing a patient's nutritional status is an important part of this process, and is essential for proper wound healing.

Wound healing sets off a complex chain of events that involves increased cellular activity and an intensified metabolic demand for nutrients. This activity requires a number of vitamins and other chemical cofactors to complete its job. Without these building blocks, wound healing takes longer and may be compromised. For a wound to heal successfully, patients need adequate amounts of several nutrients, including carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals. Patients who don't meet their nutritional needs may be at risk for increased bruising and swelling, delayed wound healing, and other wound-related complications.

In addition, several of the anesthetic agents that are used during surgery generate a significant number of free-radicals. These unstable oxygen molecules must be neutralized or eliminated by the body to prevent damage to healthy cells. Specific antioxidants, supplied in supplement form, can support intrinsic systems the body maintains for handling free radicals.

For many Americans, whose diet is consistently lacking in essential vitamins and minerals, this could result in problems following surgery. Fruits and vegetables, which are limited in the typical diet, provide essential nutrients that are particularly important to surgical patients undergoing anesthesia, trauma, and wound healing. While our bodies have remarkable innate mechanisms for healing, the efficiency of this process diminishes as we age. For this reason, older patients are also more susceptible to wound healing problems.

To augment their health, many Americans are taking nutritional supplements on a routine basis. While generally beneficial and safe, the use of several popular supplements, around the time of surgery, may not be recommended. Certain nutritional supplements may cause adverse reactions during or after surgery, including prolonged bleeding, interference with anesthesia, cardiovascular disturbances and interactions with prescription drugs. According to the American Society of Anesthesiologists, it is recommended that supplements producing these effects be avoided at least two weeks prior to surgery and for a least one week post-surgery. More about supplements to exclude for surgery...

VitaMedica's Surgery Products line was designed with these various issues in mind. Our products are formulated with essential nutrients to support wound healing, enhance tissue repair, support the immune system, prevent infection, minimize inflammation and reduce bruising. At the same time, we have selectively excluded any nutrients that can cause problems during the peri-operative period.

VitaMedica's Arnica Montana 30X is a homeopathic remedy designed to reduce the discomfort, bruising and swelling associated with soft tissue injury that often accompanies surgical procedures.

VitaMedica's Bromelain with Quercetin is a nutritional supplement containing natural ingredients, with excellent anti-inflammatory properties. Bromelain is an enzyme extracted from the stem of the pineapple. Quercetin is a colored plant pigment found in large amounts in foods such as onions and apples.

Clinical Support for Surgery is a specialty multi-nutrient formula designed specifically for the nutritional needs of patients undergoing more extensive operative procedures. Importantly, Clinical Support for Surgery has been specially formulated to eliminate any nutrients that may have an adverse effect on outcome. For example, the formulation does not contain Vitamin E because this fat-soluble vitamin can slow wound healing and can cause problems with bleeding.

The Healing Supplements Program, which combines Bromelain with Quercetin and Arnica Montana 30X in a single program kit, is designed to help reduce inflammation, bruising and swelling. For this reason, the kit is well-suited for less-invasive surgical procedures such as eyelid surgery, breast augmentation or forehead lift. The Healing Supplements Program is also ideal for patients undergoing the popular injectable or filler procedures. For those individuals who bruise more easily with this type of non-surgical treatment, the Healing Supplements Program can reduce these unwanted side-effects.

The Surgery Program, our most extensive program kit, includes, Clinical Support for Surgery plus Bromelain with Quercetin and Arnica Montana 30X. The Surgery Program is designed to help support wound healing, and reduce the inflammation, bruising and swelling associated with surgery. For this reason, this program is ideally suited for more-comprehensive surgical procedures such as abdominoplasty, face lift, rhinoplasty or breast reduction.

Additional Nutrient Support - Post-Surgery: To Maintain Your Surgical Results

The visible aspects of surgery, namely bruising and swelling, typically disappear after a few weeks. However, the body's effort to repair and rebuild often extends 3 - 9 months following a surgical procedure. While our Surgery products are intended to assist the healing process during the peri-operative period (2 weeks before and 2 weeks following surgery), the following VitaMedica nutraceuticals are designed to provide the essential vitamins, minerals and amino acids required for long-term support after a surgical procedure.

DermalNutrients™
A unique functional food that is designed to support the development of collagen & elastin.

HA+A Hydrating Nutraceutical™
An oral form of hyaluronic acid (HA). HA is highly concentrated at a site of injury (surgery) to enhance the ability of healing cells to reach an injured area.

Multi-Vitamin & Mineral
Provides all of the key vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that the body needs to support health, wellness and ongoing tissue repair.