Proven Supplements to Speed Up Your Patients’ Cosmetic Surgery Recovery

Essential Vitamins That Accelerate Surgical Healing

Your patients’ post-cosmetic surgery recovery depends heavily on proper nutrition. The right formulation of vitamins and amino acids can speed up their healing process and shorten recovery time when taken peri-surgically.

Vitamin C stands out as a vital nutrient that helps surgical healing. Your patients’ skin needs this powerful antioxidant to create collagen - the protein that builds its structural framework. Your patients should take 500-1000mg daily after surgery to strengthen wound sites and speed up tissue repair. Research shows vitamin C supplements can reduce healing time by up to 20% with consistent use.

Vitamin A promotes more cell growth over wounds (epithelialization) and thus encourages more early inflammatory response - both essential to proper healing. The recommended dosage starts at 10,000-25,000 IU daily during the first week after surgery. 

Vitamin D regulates immune response during healing. Most patients lack this significant vitamin. Taking 1000-2000 IU daily can lead to better recovery outcomes.

Zinc works synergistically  with these vitamins, though it's technically a mineral. This trace element helps heal wounds faster by supporting cell membrane repair and protein synthesis. 

PLYMOUTH MEDICAL’s is pleased to report that mend™’s REPAIR & RECOVER formation strikes the right balance of vitamins and minerals to enhance post surgical healing. 

Glutamine plays a crucial role in surgical recovery. Your patients’ body needs this amino acid more than usual after trauma, including surgery. Taking 10-15g daily maintains muscle mass and helps wounds close faster by feeding the rapidly growing cells in healing tissue. Arginine, leucine and citruline have also been shown to be beneficial to post-surgical healing. 

Start your patients’ supplement routine at least one  week before their scheduled procedure to work best. This gives these compounds time to titrate  up. Make sure to review your patient’s conflicts with anesthesia or other medications they take.

Muscle Healing Supplements to Restore Strength After Surgery

Surgery can take a heavy toll on your patients’ muscle strength. They need targeted muscle healing supplements to bounce back properly. The weakness patient’s feel after cosmetic procedures goes beyond surgical wounds - their muscle tissue needs rebuilding too.

Protein supplements are the foundations of muscle recovery after surgery. Your patients’ body needs extra protein to rebuild damaged tissues - about 1.5-2g per kilogram of body weight each day. Whey protein isolate stands out because it has a complete amino acid profile and absorbs quickly. Plant-based options like pea or hemp protein make great alternatives if dairy doesn't agree with your patients.

Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) help fuel muscle repair directly. Your patients’ body can't produce these essential amino acids - leucine, isoleucine, and valine - yet they play key roles in protecting their muscles after surgery. Taking 5-10g of BCAAs daily helps preserve muscle mass when your patients are  less active.

Creatine monohydrate isn't just for athletes - it helps tremendously during surgical recovery. This compound helps your patients’ cells regenerate ATP - their main energy source - so muscles can heal faster. A daily dose of 5g supports strength recovery as your patients ease back into their routine.

HMB (beta-hydroxy beta-methylbutyrate) helps prevent muscle breakdown, which matters a lot when patients can't move much after surgery. This leucine metabolite works best paired with vitamin D3, creating a powerful combination for muscle preservation. You’ll note our Regenerate formulation also contains myHMB® to help muscle loss for patients on GLP-1 and going through menopause. 

Magnesium citrate keeps your patients’ muscles working by managing neuromuscular signals and protein synthesis. Surgery depletes your patients’ magnesium levels, so supplementation helps prevent common recovery issues like muscle cramps and weakness.

CoQ10  boosts your patients’ muscle recovery by improving mitochondrial function. People over 40 need this naturally-occurring compound even more since their bodies produce less of it.

Summary 

Scientific research proves that the right supplements can speed up your patients’ cosmetic surgery recovery. A combination of essential vitamins, wound healing compounds, and muscle-supporting supplements can substantially reduce healing time and minimize complications.

Your patients’ body needs time to build up these beneficial compounds. Start having them take supplements about a week before their procedure. 

Note that supplements work best as part of your patients’ complete recovery plan, not as a standalone solution. These evidence-backed supplements combined with proper rest, good nutrition, and your instructions can help your patients achieve the best possible healing results after their cosmetic procedure.

Citations

• English K et al. Leucine partially protects muscle mass and function during bed rest in middle-aged adults. Am J Clin Nutr. 2016; 103: 465-73. PMID: 26718415. Link

• Aanandhi M VJ. Enteral/oral glutamine supplementation in patients following surgery and accidental injury. Asian J Pharm Clin Res.2017; 10(3): 477-479. Link

• Schneider KL & Yahia N. Effectiveness of arginine supplementation on wound healing in older adults in acute and chronic settings: A systematic review. Adv Skin Wound Care. 2019;32(10):457-462. PMID: 31498170. Link

04/05/2025