Arnica Montana & Dermatix - Anyone use them?

My surgeon recommends that I use Boiron Arnica Montana to help reduce post op swelling, bruising and pain.  He also wants me to use Dermatix starting about 3 wees after surgery to help the scarring.  Anyone have any experience with these and what was that experience?  Thanks.

I used Bromlian and arnica with my recent surgery last month.  I can say I had VERY LITTLE bruising and what I did have only lasted about 3 or 4 days.  I'm not too sure about the swelling part because I've had an issue with my right arm being much more swollen than the left one --- but the swelling on my left arm was pretty minimal so maybe it did help.  I figure it can't hurt so I took them. 


Ruth

I have never heard of Dermatix but I believe boiron Arnica Montana I have heard of, but when I lived down south it was called Mountain Tobacco.  Be very careful if I am right and it is Mountain tobacco because it can cause intestinal bleeding, abdominal cramping and sickness/nausea and make sure you are very, VERY well hydrated when you are taking Mountain Tobacco. 

If the dosage is to high you can die.  It causes your blood pressure to sky rocket.  Please, please make sure you get it from a reputable dealer, watch your dosage and make sure it was properly prepared because if it's not prepared correctly it can really &$^% you up!  It can kill you!

Now, that being said maybe I should have checked to see if Mountain Tobacco is the same thing as Arnica Montana... If not then ignore my post, heh.

-Jaime

I am taking Arnica and I have had little if any bruising I don't see any....and normally from IVs and blood draws I look like I have been in a serious brawl.  As far as swelling I am not sure what is swollen and what is not.  I have been ******g like a race horse and hopefully that will stop.  Hope this helps!

~Maxine

I took Arnica and Bromelain and they didn't help with my swelling at all.  However, when I did take Celebrex (NSAID so beware) the swelling went away.

Some surgeons believe in Celebrex for WLS patients as a ok form of a NSAID and some say no way.   It was worth the chance for me.  At 6 weeks out I was so swollen I still couldn't wear any shoes not even flip flops.   One week of Celebrex and it was gone. 

Thanks for the suggestion.  So that there's no confusion, I had the DS (Duodenal Switch) and NSAIDS are not a problem for us.  Sometimes when people refer to WLS, they mean Gastric Bypass and the rules associated with that so I just wanted to avoid confusion on the issue since there are many weight loss surgeries, lap band and VSG included.  Glad to hear your swelling ultimately was resolved.  That must have been really frustrating.

I go to the web site makemeheal. They suggest the Arnica and Bromelain, I bought both. I know you are not suppose to take the Bromelin until after because it can thin the blood. I googled them both before buying. Haven't had my surgery 2 more weeks. My ps suggest vitamin c also.