What is the most current medical practice standard regarding fish oils and any plastic surgery?

Question

Medical research studies published by NIH and the American Heart Association on the internet say fish oils do not cause bleeding or blood clotting problems, yet other internet websites say they do. Very confusing. Opinions from plastic surgeons as whether patients should stop taking fish oil 2 weeks or less before surgery and when to resume are all over the map. What is the most current practice standard? Thinking of having a facelift.

Ajaya Kashyap, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.There are no clear guidelines defining it, but it is a common practice to stop all herbal supplements 2 weeks before an elective Plastic surgery procedure. It is best tho follow your Plastic surgeon’s preoperative instructions regarding this .all the best.

Amir Nakhdjevani, MBBS, MRCS, FRCS(Plast) · Answer

Thank you for your question.  I suggest for my patients to stop taking any herbal medication or supplements for about 10-14 days before and after their surgery as a precaution.  All The Best

Christopher T. Maloney Jr., MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. There are lots of opinions and different information about fish oils being stopped before surgery because of the slight increase in bleeding. My goal as a surgeon is to produce the best possible results with the fastest recovery in the safest way possible. In my opinion, stopping fish oils can not hurt and it probably does help limit the amount of oozing which will decrease the chance of a hematoma and will speed up the recovery. There is no harm in stopping, so I have all patients stop 2-3 weeks before surgery. This is not to say another surgeon with a different opinion is wrong, we all have our ways of doing things and different protocols work better for each of us. Best of luck.

John J. Martin, Jr., MD · Answer

There are a whole lot of supplements that may cause an increase in bleeding and bruising during surgery.  We usually recommend that you stop these about 2 weeks before surgery.  While data may be conflicting,  it is better to try and maximize your results by stopping the supplements.

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

Most large research organizations like the American Heart Association are trying to answer the question of do these supplements lower your risk for heart disease. They are not investigating how these products affect your cosmetic surgery. Myself and most fussy plastic surgeon performing facial and eyelid procedures look to control your exposure to these supplements before surgery. We really do not want you bleeding and oozing unnecessarily during your procedure or after surgery. This requires time to manage during surgery that is far better spent performing your actual surgery. After surgery, even with drains in place, brushing can negatively affect your surgical result. This is all avoided by staying away from products that thin the blood. I ask my patients to avoid them for 4 weeks. I really don’t care what Dr Google says.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

I doubt that fish oil causes enough  bleeding to make any difference at all but you should take your surgeons advice on this. Many times patients on various non prescription or herbal medications. It’s simplest just to stop taking all of them so you don’t have to remember which are good or which are bad. You’ll be fine off them fir a few weeks.

Kevin Ende, MD · Answer

If your surgeon asks you to stop fish oil, its best to listen to your surgeon or choose another surgeon.  If you plan on not following the surgeon's directions for fish oil, then you will likely not follow other directions either and should not have any surgery.  I'm not sure I understand what the big deal is with stopping a potential blood thinner to ensure your best surgical outcome and eliminate the possibility that fish oil might cause bleeding.

E. Ronald Finger, MD · Answer

I routinely take my patients off fish oils and any omega-3 for 3 weeks prior to plastic surgery. There is no doubt about the fact that someone on fish oils will bleed and bruise more. The also goes for vitamin E, garlic, and anti-inflammatories, such as Advil, aspirin, Advil, etc., green tea, and other supplements and herbs. Your plastic surgeon should furnish you with a list of what not to take before surgery. If not, you can contact my office, and we will supply the list to you.Thank you for your question, and good luck.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

In our practice, we ask patients to refrain from taking herbal supplements, fish oils, ibuprofen, aspirin and vitamin E.  Some of these products create more bleeding, so it's best to be off of them a couple weeks before and after  major surgical procedures such as a facelift.

What is the most current medical practice standard regarding fish oils and any plastic surgery?

Answers (9)

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