Drugs, Herbs and Foods to avoid… before and after Surgery

Vitamin E (Tocopherol) – Stop taking vitamin E as far in advance of your surgery as possible.  It is a blood thinner and is often found in diet drinks, protein shakes, and energy bars. Soy products including tofu, processed foods, breakfast cereal, multivitamins, soaps, shampoos and lotions all may contain vitamin E.  Ask for a Bleed Test prior to surgery if you have taken supplements for many years.

Anticoagulants – Discuss with your Doctor before stopping.

Antihistamines

Aspirin – If you accidently take an aspirin, even one, let your surgeon know

Guaifenesin – found in some cold medicines

MSG – found in Curried, Chinese, or Japanese foods,

Garlic, Onions, red peppers, ginger, soy products, purslane, muskmelon, cantaloupe, black tree fungus or Chinese mushrooms, and wakame seaweed.

Herbs and herbal teas that impede clotting, including evening primrose salix (willow,) bilberry and Sichuan lovage.

Hormones- speak to your doctor.  You do not need to stop taking birth control pills.

Ibuprofen

Nutritional suppliments including Omega-3, fish oil, vitamin E, multivitamins, antioxidants, garlic capules, evening primrose oil or GLA.