Can Post-op Bleeding Occur from Use of Advil?

Generally, we tell our patients to avoid aspirin or aspirin-containing products, such as Excedrin, for at least 10 days prior to surgical procedure. Other NSAIDs, such as Advil, Motrin, Ibuprofen, and Naproxen, are less dangerous, although these also can be associated with excessive bruising and bleeding.
Therefore, unless there is reason to rush to surgery, we would like patients to stay away from these for at least one week. They can restart Advil 24 hrs after surgery. The bleeding you experienced is probably associated with splitting sutures that need to be removed.

Advil, Motrin, Aleve, Ibuprofen, and Aspirin can all
potentially cause bleeding in the perioperative period. When patients are six weeks post-op, other
causes are more likely.The
post-operative bleeding that you’ve experienced is more likely related to your
wound strips.The removal of these
strips can sometimes peel away immature epithelium and expose suture
abscesses.Both situation can result in
bleeding.

There are several classes of blood thinners that should be avoided before and immediately after surgery. These include:

Aspirin
Ibuprofen
NSAIDS
Coumadin, Plavix

These medications are not immediately metabolized in the body, so that they may last up to one month after you take them. It is advisable that you do not take blood thinners as listed above one month before surgery but this should be individualized by your physician himself. Our office in Santa Monica routinely gives a list of over 200 medications that cannot be taken before surgery. Check to see if your surgeon has a similar list.