Medications and Supplements to Review Before and After a Facelift

When people in their 40s, 50s and 60s start planning a facelift, they often focus on scars, technique and recovery time. Medications and supplements can be just as important because they may affect bleeding, blood pressure, healing and anaesthesia.

In Sydney, Dr Michael Kernohan, Specialist Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon, sees many patients who are surprised that everyday tablets, herbal products and even “natural” teas can affect facelift surgery. A careful medication review helps reduce preventable risks, including haematoma, which is a collection of blood under the skin.

This article explains which medicines and supplements are commonly reviewed before and after facelift surgery. It is general information only, and you should never change or stop prescribed medication without advice from your own doctors.

Why Medications and Supplements Matter So Much in Facelift Surgery

A facelift is an elective operation, but it is still surgery involving anaesthesia, incisions and delicate facial tissues. Medicines and supplements matter because some can increase bleeding, affect blood pressure or interact with anaesthetic drugs.

Bleeding under the skin, called a haematoma, is one of the recognised early risks after facelift surgery.

• Aspirin and some anti-inflammatory medicines can increase bleeding risk by affecting platelet function.
• High blood pressure can also increase the risk of bleeding after surgery.
• Herbal products such as garlic, ginkgo and ginseng may increase bleeding risk in some patients.
• St John’s wort, kava and similar products may interact with anaesthetic or sedating medicines.
• Some patients do not think of supplements, teas or powders as “medicines”, so they may forget to mention them.

In his Sydney practice, Dr Michael Kernohan places strong emphasis on medication and supplement review before facelift surgery. This helps the surgical team plan more carefully and reduce avoidable risks where possible.

General Principles – Before and After Your Facelift

Before looking at individual medicines, there are several broad principles that apply to most facelift patients. The most important rule is to tell your surgical team everything you take, even if it seems minor or “natural”.

• Include prescription medicines, over-the-counter pain relief, cold and flu tablets, vitamins and herbal products.
• Also mention protein powders, “detox” blends, herbal teas, sleep aids and wellness supplements.
• Do not stop heart, blood-pressure, diabetes or blood-thinning medication on your own.
• Medicines such as warfarin, direct oral anticoagulants, clopidogrel and insulin need a planned approach.
• Herbal and complementary medicines are not automatically low-risk, even when bought without a prescription.
• After surgery, do not restart or introduce new medicines, teas or supplements without checking with your team.

Dr Michael Kernohan works with your GP, anaesthetist and other specialists when medication changes need careful planning. This is especially important when stopping a medicine could increase the risk of stroke, blood clots, unstable blood pressure or blood sugar problems.

Medicines That Commonly Need Review Before a Facelift

Several medicine groups commonly need review before facelift surgery because they can affect bleeding, blood pressure, heart rhythm, blood sugar or anaesthesia. Some may need to be paused, some may continue, and others may require a personalised plan from your treating doctors.

• Blood-thinning medicines and antiplatelet drugs are reviewed because they can increase the chance of bleeding under the skin.
• Aspirin and NSAIDs, including ibuprofen, naproxen and diclofenac, are commonly checked because they affect platelet function.
• Prescription medicines such as clopidogrel, warfarin, apixaban and rivaroxaban need specialist input before any change.
• Over-the-counter cold, flu, headache and migraine products may contain hidden aspirin, ibuprofen, caffeine or decongestants.
• Blood-pressure, heart and diabetes medicines often continue, but timing or dose may need adjustment.
• Some antidepressants, hormone therapies and long-term medicines need review but should not be stopped suddenly.

In Sydney, Dr Michael Kernohan does not make complex medication changes in isolation. He may liaise with your GP, cardiologist, haematologist, psychiatrist, gynaecologist, anaesthetist or diabetes team so that any plan is tailored to your health and surgery.

Blood-Thinning Medications and Antiplatelet Drugs

Blood-thinning medicines and antiplatelet drugs are among the most important medicines to review before facelift surgery. They can increase bleeding risk, but stopping them without medical guidance can also be dangerous.

• Aspirin affects platelet function and may increase the risk of post-operative bleeding or haematoma.
• NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen and diclofenac can also affect clotting and bruising.
• Clopidogrel and similar antiplatelet medicines are often prescribed after heart or blood-vessel problems.
• Warfarin and newer anticoagulants such as apixaban and rivaroxaban reduce clot formation.
• Some patients may need these medicines paused for a specific period before and after surgery.
• Others may not be suitable for elective cosmetic surgery if their clotting risk is too high.

Dr Michael Kernohan will usually involve the doctor who prescribed these medicines before any change is made. For some patients, the safest choice may be to delay or avoid facelift surgery if the medication risk cannot be managed appropriately.

Over-the-Counter Painkillers and Cold/Flu Medicines

Over-the-counter medicines can increase surgical risk even when they seem routine. Many cold, flu, headache and pain products contain ingredients that affect bleeding, blood pressure or heart rate.

• Some cold and flu tablets contain ibuprofen or aspirin-like anti-inflammatory ingredients.
• Some headache and migraine medicines contain aspirin or other agents that affect platelets.
• Decongestants may raise heart rate or blood pressure in some patients.
• Caffeine-containing products may also affect heart rate, sleep and blood pressure.
• Combination products can be difficult to interpret without checking the full ingredient list.
• Paracetamol may be preferred for pain relief in some patients, provided it is suitable for their health.

Dr Michael Kernohan usually advises patients to check any non-prescription medicine with the surgical team before facelift surgery. If you are unsure about a product, bring the packet or a photo of the label to your appointment.

Medicines That Affect Blood Pressure, Heart Rhythm or Blood Sugar

Medicines for blood pressure, heart rhythm and diabetes often need careful planning before and after facelift surgery. Many are continued, but the timing or dose may need adjustment because of fasting, anaesthesia and recovery.

• Blood-pressure medicines help reduce the risk of high blood pressure during and after surgery.
• Beta-blockers should not usually be stopped suddenly unless a doctor specifically advises this.
• Some heart rhythm medicines need anaesthetic review before surgery.
• Diabetes tablets and insulin may need dose changes because patients fast before surgery.
• SGLT2 inhibitors and some other diabetes medicines may require specific perioperative instructions.
• Poorly controlled blood pressure or blood sugar can increase surgical and healing risks.

Dr Michael Kernohan may coordinate with your GP, anaesthetist or diabetes team before surgery. This helps create a clear plan for what to take, what to adjust and what to restart during recovery.

Certain Antidepressants, Hormone Therapies and Other Long-Term Medicines

Some long-term medicines need review because they may affect bleeding, clotting, sedation or recovery. These medicines should not be stopped suddenly, as doing so can create other health risks.

• Some antidepressants, especially SSRIs, have been linked with a small increase in bleeding risk in some studies.
• Stopping antidepressants suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms or relapse of depression or anxiety.
• Hormone replacement therapy and some hormonal contraceptives may affect blood-clot risk.
• Steroids, immune-suppressing medicines and some arthritis medicines may affect healing or infection risk.
• Sleeping tablets and anxiety medicines may interact with anaesthetic or post-operative pain relief.
• Long-term medicines should be reviewed as part of the full surgical and anaesthetic plan.

In Sydney, Dr Michael Kernohan works with the relevant treating doctor before recommending any change to these medicines. In many cases, close monitoring is safer than stopping a medicine without a clear reason.

Herbal Medicines, Vitamins and Supplements Around Facelift Surgery

Herbal medicines, vitamins and supplements can affect facelift surgery even when they are bought without a prescription. Some products may increase bleeding, affect blood pressure, change blood sugar or interact with anaesthetic and pain medicines.

• Herbal products such as garlic, ginkgo and ginseng may increase bleeding risk in some patients.
• St John’s wort can affect how the liver processes some medicines, including anaesthetic and pain medicines.
• Kava and valerian can have sedating effects and may interact with anaesthesia or prescription pain relief.
• Fish oil, krill oil, turmeric/curcumin and high-dose vitamin E may affect clotting or platelet function in some patients.
• Herbal teas can also matter, especially if they are strong, taken daily or contain ingredients with bleeding or sedating effects.
• Combination supplements can be difficult to assess because they may contain several active ingredients in one product.

In Sydney, Dr Michael Kernohan encourages patients to bring a written list or photos of every supplement bottle they use. This allows the surgical and anaesthetic team to check each product before facelift surgery.

Facelift Before and After Photos

Disclaimer: All surgical or invasive procedures come with inherent risks, and results can vary widely between individuals due to factors like lifestyle, anatomy, overall health, weight, and nutrition. We encourage you to conduct thorough research and consider seeking a second opinion from a qualified healthcare provider.

Why “Natural” Does Not Always Mean Low-Risk

“Natural” products can still have strong effects on the body. Some herbal medicines and supplements can affect clotting, blood pressure, blood sugar, sedation and how the body processes anaesthetic drugs.

• Garlic, ginkgo and ginseng have been linked with increased bleeding risk and possible interactions with blood-thinning medicines.
• St John’s wort may interact with antidepressants, anaesthetic medicines and some pain-relief medicines.
• Kava and valerian can add to the sedating effects of anaesthetic drugs and post-operative pain medicines.
• Fish oil, krill oil and other omega-3 products may affect bleeding risk at higher doses.
• Turmeric/curcumin and high-dose vitamin E may affect platelet or clotting function in some patients.
• Herbal teas made from these ingredients may also contribute if they are consumed regularly.

Because of these risks, many hospitals recommend stopping non-essential supplements before elective surgery unless the treating team advises otherwise. Dr Michael Kernohan generally reviews supplements before surgery and only recommends restarting them when it is appropriate for the patient’s facelift recovery plan.

Supplements Commonly Discussed Before a Facelift

Several supplements are commonly reviewed before facelift surgery because they may affect bleeding, sedation or drug metabolism. The concern is not only one product, but also the combined effect of several supplements taken together.

• Garlic, ginkgo and ginseng are often discussed because they may affect bleeding or interact with blood-thinning medicines.
• Fish oil, krill oil and other omega-3 products may be paused before surgery depending on dose and individual risk.
• St John’s wort may affect how the body processes anaesthetic drugs, pain medicines and antidepressants.
• Kava and valerian may increase sedation and make early recovery less predictable.
• Turmeric/curcumin and high-dose vitamin E may affect clotting or platelet function.
• Multi-ingredient supplements, “wellness blends” and “detox” products may contain ingredients that are easy to miss.

In many cases, it is simpler and safer to pause non-essential supplements before facelift surgery and restart them only after review. Dr Michael Kernohan’s team can advise what applies to your situation based on your health, medicines and surgical plan.

After Your Facelift – Medication and Supplement Safety

After facelift surgery, medication planning shifts toward pain control, blood-pressure management and protecting the surgical site while healing begins. This period is also important because bleeding risk, drug interactions and sedation can still occur.

• Your anaesthetist and Dr Michael Kernohan will usually provide a pain-relief plan after surgery.
• Paracetamol may be used in some patients, sometimes with stronger prescription pain medicine when appropriate.
• Aspirin and NSAIDs may need to be avoided for a period after surgery unless your doctors specifically advise otherwise.
• Sedating medicines can interact with alcohol, antihistamines, sleeping tablets, anxiety medicines and herbal products.
• Blood-thinning medicines, diabetes medicines and other long-term prescriptions should be restarted only according to your written plan.
• Herbal supplements, high-dose vitamins and “detox” programs should not be restarted without checking with the surgical team.

In Sydney, Dr Michael Kernohan usually reviews medication and supplement timing during follow-up care. This helps ensure that medicines are restarted safely and that new products do not interfere with recovery.

FAQs About Medications and Facelift Surgery

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Next Step: Discuss Medications and Facelift Planning With Dr Kernohan

If you are thinking about facelift surgery and take regular medicines, vitamins or supplements, sorting out a safe medication plan is one of the most important parts of preparation.

Meeting Dr Michael Kernohan, Specialist Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon in Sydney, gives you time to discuss your full medication and supplement list in detail, understand which products can affect bleeding, blood pressure and anaesthetic drugs, and work together with your GP, anaesthetist and other specialists to plan any changes. This careful approach helps reduce avoidable risks such as haematoma while keeping control of your heart, blood-pressure or diabetes treatment.

You can bring your medication boxes or photos, a list from your pharmacist or GP, and any questions about prescriptions, vitamins, teas and herbal products. If you prefer a discreet, online approach, Dr Kernohan’s clinic has a contact page and a complimentary photo assessment page for sending enquiries, images, or appointment requests. The aim is clear, evidence-based advice so you feel informed and prepared before making decisions about facelift surgery.

Download Dr Kernohan’s Facelift Surgery Guide

Further Reading

• Read Dr Kernohan’s Preparing for Surgery Resource Page
• Read Dr Kernohan’s Facelift Under General Anaesthesia Blog
• Read Dr Kernohan’s Plastic Surgery Risks Resource Page
• Read Dr Kernohan’s Facelift Complications Blog
• Read Dr Kernohan’s Recovery After Facelift Blog
• Read Dr Kernohan’s How to Reduce Swelling After Facelift