Why shouldn't I take vitamin E before surgery?

A lot of the vitamins and herbal medications can have the effect of thinning the blood. I usually ask my patients to stop taking any excess doses of vitamin E and Herbals 2 weeks prior to surgery. In my practice we provide a list of items to stop prior to surgery. You should ask your plastic surgeon for one as well. I hope this has helped.

Studies show that Vitamin E as well as some other vitamins and natural supplements can interfere with blood clotting, essentially “thinning the blood” and causing increased bleeding during and shortly after surgery.  Therefore, most doctors advise their patients to stop taking vitamin E and certain other supplements, as well as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory meds such as Advil, Aleve, Motrin, and of course aspirin for 1-2 weeks before surgery and a short time post op.  This is to prevent excessive bleeding that can interfere with surgery, or create post op bleeding that will interfere with healing and the final result.  Ask your doctor for a specific list that he/she feels you should stop taking.

I have my patients hold high dose vitamin E as well as fish oil as both have been shown to lead to increased bleeding intraop.  Regular doses of vitamin E in multivitamins are fine.Best wishes.

Thank you MsAbril2017 for your questions. Typically we request that all vitamins, aspirin containing medications and blood thinning agents to be stopped minimally 2 weeks before  surgery and a few weeks after surgery to help eliminate thinning of the blood and bruising.  You should follow your board certified plastic surgeons recommendations and ask them any additional questions that you may have. 

Vitamin E is a blood thinner which should be avoided 3 weeks  before surgery.  You should ask your surgeon to put you on a Vitamedica Surgery program before surgery which is the best way  to get your body ready for surgery by offering all the essential vitamins and trace elements for healing.

Thanks so much for asking this question! Many surgeons believe higher doses of vitamin E can act to reduce the blood capacity for forming normal clotting during surgery. It has been implicated as a potential risk for excessive bleeding and this could be dangerous. I suggest you follow your surgeon's instructions to minimize your risks and reduce complications!Good luck. Dr. ALDO 

Many of the herbal supplements and vtamins, including Vitamin E  contain a variety of substances that can cause problems with blood coagulation and with anesthesia. It is recommended that all herbal supplements be stopped 2 weeks before elective surgery. 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).

Robert Singer, MD  FACS 
La Jolla, California

Hi.Many vitamins and supplements interfere with anaesthesia and or blood clotting.  I always insist that all patient refrain from all vitamins, herbals and homeopathics for at least 2 weeks pre-operatively. This is also true for aspirin and NSAID's which can result in abnormal peri-operative and post operative bleeding and healing. Always follow your surgeons advice for the best and safest outcome!