What vitamins should you stop taking before surgery?

Question

I take iron, folic acid, biotin, probiotics, one a day, blood builder, hema-plex and vitamin C

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello,It's better to be safe than sorry.  Stop all supplements. Please keep in mind that there is no evidence that any supplements, including the ones you are taking, have any positive effect on your health. On the contrary, taking certain supplements have been found to deleterious to your health, including high doses of vitamin E, and calcium in men. You should consider stoping permanently to save money and avoid the potential for unnecessary harm.Best of luck!

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question regarding what vitamins should you stop taking before surgery. You should stop taking Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, and Vitamin B complex vitamins before your surgery. Also, you should stop taking your daily multivitamins. The problem with Vitamin C is that Vitamin C is such a strong detoxifying vitamin, that it can overpower some of the administered anesthetics. Vitamin C can make the anesthesia more difficult since it is a powerful detoxifier. It is thought that Vitamin E can cause bleeding. So it is best to avoid Vitamin E before surgery.  Vitamin K can also cause bleeding. Again it is best to avoid Vitamin K before surgery, Vitamin B should also be avoided because Vitamin B complex can interfere with other medications. Specifically, vitamin B6 can interfere with the efficacy of certain antibiotics and thus can increase your chances of infection after surgery. Other herbs and supplements to avoid according to the Aesthetic Surgery Journal include: 
  
Vitamin E
  Fish oil and omega 3
  Garlic
  Red chili pepper (capsaicin)
  Ginkgo biloba
  Saw palmetto
  Ginseng
  Chondroitin and glucosamine
  Bromelain
  Arnica montana
  Licorice
  Ginger
  Oil of wintergreen
  Arnica montana
  Feverfew
  Devil’s claw
  Seasonal tonic tea
  Japanese honeysuckle
  Baical skullcap root
  Fritillaria bulbs
  Ta gastronol tea
  Poncitrin (jishi)
  Dan Shen
  Chinese agrimony
  Chinese peony
  Geum japonicum
  Guilinggao (tortoise jelly)
  Kangen-karyu
  Bak Foong pill
  Thank you for your very good question regarding what vitamins you should stop taking before surgery. If you have any more questions regarding vitamins or plastic surgery, feel free to call my office.
      Sincerely, Dr. Katzen

Scott D. Green, MD · Answer

Hi and thanks for your question. I would suggest speaking to your surgeon, since most give you a list of medications and supplements that you must discontinue before surgery. Most are blood thinning medications, but also there are various types of weight loss medications that are advised to discontinue a couple weeks before surgery.  Best of luck with your surgery.

Susan Kaweski, MD · Answer

I always advise my patients to take a multiple vitamin twice a day and Vitamin C 500mg twice a day before surgery. All the rest of your supplements seem fine but consult with your surgeon to be sure.

Milind K. Ambe, MD · Answer

Based on the list you provide I would say Vit C, probiotics and iron are the only ones I am not concerned about.  I would however stop all others, especially a multivitamin, and omega oils.  That being said you need to ask your PS which vitamins/supplements they want you to stop.  Every physician might have their own protocol.

Hector Milla, MD · Answer

Hi and thanks for your question. It is important to stop any kind of vitamins, suplements or pain killer 2 weeks before surgery since they can alter blood coagulation in several ways.Best wishes.

Robert Singer, MD · Answer

You should
discuss what medications, supplements, and vitamins you are taking, both
prescription and over the counter, with your plastic surgeon and have him or
her decide what you should and should not be taking. Your surgeon should be
certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and ideally a member of the
American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). It is important to
follow all pre and post-operative instructions.
Robert Singer, MD  FACS 
La Jolla, California

Theodore Nyame, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Most vitamins are OK to take up to the time of your surgery. If you are taking special supplements that could lead to an increase in bleeding I would clarify this specifically with your surgeon. Best wishes Theodore Nyame M.D.

Arian Mowlavi, MD, FACS (license on probation) · Answer

Multivitamins in general are not recommended prior to surgery as there can be elements in the vitamin that make your blood thinner; it is important to avoid any unnecessary bleeding during your surgery. Omega 3 fatty acids, fish oil extract should be avoided for sure.

What vitamins should you stop taking before surgery?

Answers (9)

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