Should I Stop Taking Fish Oil Before Surgery?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Fish oil contains a potent blood thinner and should be

stopped 3 weeks prior to surgery

. It is okay to continue taking a daily vitamin up to the time of surgery as long as it does not contain vitamin E. Vitamin E is a blood thinner, which can cause increased bleeding after surgery.

Is fish oil considered a blood thinner?

Bleeding. Fish oil is

a natural anticoagulant

, which means it can prevent the blood from clotting. This property may help explain some of its heart health benefits, since thinning the blood may improve cardiovascular health.

What does fish oil have to do with surgery?

Overall, fish oil supplements

reduced platelet aggregation in healthy subjects

. Fish oil exposure in surgical patients did not increase bleeding or blood transfusions either during or after surgery. Conclusion: Fish oil supplements reduced platelet aggregation in healthy subjects.

What vitamins should you stop taking before surgery?

A few commonly taken herbal supplements to avoid are:

ginkgo biloba, garlic, ginseng, ginger, dong quai, ephedra, feverfew, St. John's wort

and/or omega 3 fatty acids. A general rule is to advise patients to stop taking these potentially unsafe preparations at least two weeks prior to surgery.

Should I stop taking fish oil prior to surgery?

Concerns over the potential

risk of bleeding

associated with this anti-platelet effect have led to recommendations that patients stop taking fish oil supplements before surgery and for delay in elective surgical procedures for patients taking fish oil by some health care professionals.

How long before surgery do you stop fish oil?

Fish oil contains a potent blood thinner and should be stopped

3 weeks prior

to surgery. It is okay to continue taking a daily vitamin up to the time of surgery as long as it does not contain vitamin E. Vitamin E is a blood thinner, which can cause increased bleeding after surgery.

What should you avoid before surgery?


Vitamin E, vitamin C, vitamin K, B vitamins, fish oils

, and all herbal supplements should all be STOPPED 1 week pre-surgery (including your ). Green tea, cayenne, ginkgo, garlic, ginger, flaxseed, tomatoes, potatoes, and eggplant may have a negative effect on anesthesia or bleeding time.

What happens if you take fish oil everyday?

When taken by mouth: Fish oil is likely safe for most people in doses of 3 grams or less daily. Taking more than 3 grams daily might increase the chance of bleeding. Fish oil side effects include

heartburn, loose stools, and nosebleeds

. Taking fish oil supplements with meals or freezing them can reduce these issues.

Does fish oil make you smell down there?

Taking fish-oil supplements

can cause the skin, breath, and urine to have a fishy smell

. It is generally believed that higher intakes of omega-3 fatty acids will lead to an increase in hemorrhagic complications.

Can fish oil cause blood clots?



All fish oil capsules can cause trouble with clotting

.” Upon ingestion, the fatty acids present in the fish oils are transformed into substances, known as prostaglandins, which affect the body's ability to clot, both from internal and external injuries, Gerhardt said.

What vitamins are good after surgery?


Vitamins C and E

: These antioxidants help the body recover and manage cell damage. Vitamin C helps improve collagen strength, while vitamin E assists in stabilizing cells.

How much fish oil should a 60 year old woman take?

Older adults and the elderly typically shouldn't take

more than 250 milligrams of EPA and DHA daily

. However, when treating high triglycerides, your doctor may recommend up to 15 grams if you have high blood pressure and as much as 10 grams if you have rheumatoid arthritis.

Can fish oil lower your blood pressure?

Multiple studies report

modest reductions in blood pressure

in people who take fish oil supplements. There's some evidence that the beneficial effects of fish oil might be greater for people with moderate to severe high blood pressure than for those with mild blood pressure elevation.

Should I stop taking vitamin D before surgery?


Two weeks before your surgical

procedure, Dr. Rabach recommends laying off supplements (with a few key exceptions), as taking them increases the risk of bleeding, which could cause complications during surgery and slow the recovery process.

Does vitamin D affect surgery?

Patients undergoing surgery are

at risk of cardiovascular and infectious complications

, both of which may be aggravated by vitamin D deficiency. Previous studies found no increased risk of adverse outcomes related to vitamin D levels in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

How can I boost my immune system before surgery?


Taking zinc

can help speed up the healing of surgical incisions and also boost the immune system. Get more Zinc naturally by eating eggs, nuts, seafood, seeds, wheat germ, and whole grains (especially fortified cereals). Multivitamin – Talk to your doctor about taking a pre- and post-surgery multivitamin.

Sophia Kim
Author
Sophia Kim
Sophia Kim is a food writer with a passion for cooking and entertaining. She has worked in various restaurants and catering companies, and has written for several food publications. Sophia's expertise in cooking and entertaining will help you create memorable meals and events.