Garlic and rhinoplasty? Will it effect my results or increase bleeding to a harmful level?

Question

I have avoided garlic for the entire past week. However i have my surgery coming up in 3 days and put a small amount of seasoning on chicken that contained garlic. Is it likely that eating this chicken will effect results or increase bleeding to any harmful level?

Ronald Schuster, MD · Answer

No i don't think that a small amount of garlic on your food will make any difference. But it might keep the vampires away!

Franklin D. Richards, MD · Answer

Garlic is a known inhibiter of platelets as are many popular supplements. Gingko, chondroitin, fish oil are some of the other well known supplements that can cause bleeding by platelet interference. This can cause excessive bleeding, bruising and swelling from surgery. Our office will have patients stop all of the over the counter supplements prior to surgery which includes aspirin and ibuprofen (Motrin and Advil). These medications seem to be dose related and I doubt that a small amount of seasonal garlic three days prior to your procedure will cause a problem.

Richard W. Westreich, MD · Answer

Garlic is known to increase bleeding by having an anti-platelet effect. While no means as strong as aspirin, we usually recommend avoiding garlic before and after the surgery. That being said, a small amount is not a big deal. We are talking about pure garlic pills as supplements...

Ira D. Papel, MD · Answer

Casual amounts of garlic used for seasoning should not affect your results. Patients who use garlic supplements with large doses on a regular basis should stop at least 2 weeks prior to surgery.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Excessive garlic may lead to thinning of the blood, and this could impact your surgery. Regular use is probably OK. Check with your surgeon.

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD · Answer

A small amount of garlic will not seriously affect bleeding.  You should be fine with your planned rhinoplasty.

Robert E. Zaworski, MD (retired) · Answer

This should not cause any problems for you.  Always discuss any questions with your surgeon in regards to your health.

Garlic and rhinoplasty? Will it effect my results or increase bleeding to a harmful level?

Answers (7)

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