Some vitamin and mineral supplements can interfere with your plastic surgery, Jacksonville surgeons say.

You might think that loading up on vitamins and minerals will help make your body and skin healthier, and thereby in better condition to undergo cosmetic surgery. Not so fast, says Dr. Phillip Garcia of Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery. Jacksonville patients are advised to avoid particular vitamins and supplements that can interfere with plastic surgery procedures and healing. Some can cause post-surgical bleeding, worsen inflammation, raise your blood pressure or alter your sugar levels. And don’t think that an herbal supplement is safe simply because it’s natural.  Some can be downright dangerous.

Among the medications and vitamin, mineral or herbal supplements you should avoid at least three weeks before plastic surgery are:

• Any diet pills or appetite suppressants – herbal and otherwise
• Blood-thinning medications such as aspirin, Motrin or Advil
• Vitamin E
• Chromium
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Ginkgo
• Goldenseal
• Flaxseed
• Fish oil
• Echinacea
• Licorice
• Saw Palmetto
• Ephedra
• Ginseng
• Feverfew
• Kava-Kava
• St. John’s Wort
• Valerian Root

After your plastic surgery, Jacksonville’s top surgeons may recommend medications or vitamin and mineral supplements known to aid the body in healing. In fact, Dr. Phillip Garcia and Dr. Roberto Garcia, partners in the Garcia Institute, have developed a patented line of supplements proven to help speed healing. Patients report less swelling and bruising as well.

No matter who your plastic surgeon is, be sure to tell him or her about all prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals and supplements you have taken over the past six months to a year. Many patients are less than forthcoming, afraid that they’ll be ridiculed by their doctors, perhaps for buying into a bogus supplement claim. But in some cases, that information can help avoid a tragedy.

If you plan plastic surgery in Jacksonville or the surrounding area, call 904-247-8522 to schedule a consultation at Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery today. And be sure to ask about the Drs. Garcias’ Reviva line of healing and anti-aging vitamins.

As specialists in facial plastic surgery, Jacksonville’s Dr. Philip Garcia and Dr. Roberto Garcia know that the work they perform will yield the best results if patients are healthy and their skin is in optimal shape for their ages and lifestyles. That’s why they developed the Reviva Anti-Aging System, featuring anti-oxidant and Omega 3 vitamin and mineral supplement formulas specifically designed to help Jacksonville plastic surgery patients heal faster, ward off skin-damaging free radicals and keep not just their skin but their entire bodies healthy and strong.

The Reviva anti-aging vitamin line includes four formulas/stages: Stage I Multivitamin, Stage II Anti-Oxidant, Stage III Healing and Omega-3.  Each is designed for a specific result and together, they keep help keep the

Reviva Anti-Aging System by Drs. Phillip and Roberto Garcia

body’s internal processes healthy, promote healing after plastic surgery in Jacksonville, rejuvenate and protect your skin and hair. Read more »

To help make sure you continue to enjoy the beautiful results of your facial treatment or plastic surgery, Jacksonville’s Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery (also known as the Garcia Institute) founders Dr. Phillip Garcia and Dr. Roberto Garcia have assembled a collection of top quality skincare products. These products include some of the top names in the skincare industry such as Obagi Medical Products, SkinCeuticals, Prevage MD and Jane Iredale, as well as a proprietary line of multi-vitamins developed by the Drs. Garcia themselves.

Leading up to and following plastic surgery, Jacksonville patients are advised to take exceptionally good care of their skin in order to achieve the best possible result and to maintain the results of their treatments for the maximum amount of time. This is particularly important during the summertime, when Northeast Florida residents spend hours outside, soaking up the Florida sun. While a certain amount of sunshine (about 10 minutes twice weekly) helps boost your body’s production Vitamin D, any more exposure to the sun’s UV rays can damage the skin and accelerate the appearance of aging. Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery of Jacksonville offers multiple sunscreens by Obagi and SkinCeuticals, including SkinCeuticals’ San Soleil self tanning lotion. This unique formula contains erythrulose, which enhances the effects of DHA (dihydroxy acetone), the commonly used tanning agent. Used alone, DHA can leave you with an uneven and unnatural looking orange tone, and dry your skin. Combined with erythrulose, you’ll get a more even and longer lasting tan without the additional dryness. Read more »

It’s a question we get often: How long will my facelift last? Jacksonville patients want to know that their investment will pay off not just over the next few years, but for many years. Our answer? The lasting effects of your facelift are full up to you.

Technically, your facelift will last forever because the tissues that we remove during your surgery will never return. You likely will always look younger than you are – a thought that puts a youthful smile on anyone’s face, women and men alike. But you must keep in mind that your facelift doesn’t freeze time – only shifts it backwards, so to speak. You will continue to age, make no mistake. But there are many, many steps you can take to assure a youthful look far into the future.

First, understand exactly what issues can be addressed by a facelift. Jacksonville’s Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery makes it a priority to talk through every aspect of a procedure with our patients, assuring that they know exactly what’s in store. Many people believe that a facelift addresses issues of the entire face. Actually, facelifts address signs of aging primarily in the lower cheek and neck. Often additional procedures such as a browlift, forehead lift or lip enhancement need to be performed in order to achieve the full look you want.

For the best results, go into your facelift as healthy as possible. Adopt healthy eating habits, drink lots of water, exercise daily, eliminate smoking and excessive alcohol intake and, above all, learn to relax. Smoking, alcohol and stress are three of the biggest culprits when it comes to prematurely aging skin, making you look older than you really are.  If you haven’t already, begin a healthier regime as far in advance of your facelift procedure as possible. This will allow for quicker, more thorough healing. And be sure to continue your new health-conscious habits long after your facelift. Jacksonville area beaches, nature preserves, dog parks and riverwalks along with a year-round mild climate make it easy to get outside and get healthy.

While you’re enjoying all that sunshine, however, be sure to cover up when you’re outside in Jacksonville. Facelift patients are very sensitive to the sun for up to six weeks following their procedures, so we encourage you to limit your exposure. And even once you’re past the sensitivity window, be sure to use a high SPF moisturizer daily and don a wide-brimmed hat while strolling the beach to protect your skin from the sun’s harsh rays.

Over the years, you’ll begin to see signs of aging return. Maintain your facelift with noninvasive or minimally invasive procedures such as filler injections, chemical peels and laser treatments. And get into the habit of a morning-and-night skincare regime. We can help tailor a skincare program just for you with selections from our wide array of top-of-the-line skincare products. And take vitamin, mineral and herbal supplements to feed your beautiful skin. We suggest our Reviva system, developed by Drs. Garcia to address many common and potential skincare needs.

Any procedure is an investment in yourself, your looks and your future. If you’re considering a facelift, Jacksonville’s Garcia Institute is a top choice. Use our convenient online Click to Call feature to talk with a specialist today.