Preparing for Surgery

Certain Medications, Vitamins, Herbal Supplements and Herbs taken regularly can have a harmful effect if in the body during surgery.

Medications

NSAID

NSAID (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) bleeding, swelling, increase the risk of blood clots, and cause other problems. These should be discontinued to be used 2 weeks prior to surgery and 1 week after surgery. For pain relief Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is the only medication that should be taken.

There is a large list of NSAID's, the most common include the following:

1. Aspirin including Excedrin
2. Ibuprofen - Advil, Motrin, Nuprin
3. Naptoxen - Aleve, Naprosyn, Anaprox, Naprelan
4. COX-2 Inhibitors - Celebrex

Some medications including any form of chemotherapies and Propolis (Bio 30), need to be stopped up to 3 months prior to surgery.

Tell your doctor about all prescriptions you might additionally be taking.

Skin Creams

Salicylates are a class of medications that are frequently given by Dermatologists. These skin creams should also be stopped some time before surgery. They can cause skin irritation when used in combination with the medications given during a surgery.

Vitamins, Herbal Supplements & Herbs

The following vitamins, herbal supplements and herbs are noted to have resulted in problems during surgery and should be discontinued 2 weeks prior and 1 week after surgery.

1. Agrimony
2. Alfalfa
3. Aniseed
4. Arnica
5. Artemesia
6. Asa Foetica
7. Bishop's Weed
8. Bladderwrack
9. Bochu
10. Bogbean
11. Boldo
12. Bromelains
13. Burdock
14. Capsicum
15. Cassio
16. Celery Seed
17. Chamomile
18. Chinese
19. Chondroitin
20. Clove
21. Cod Liver Oil
22. Coltsfoot
23. Dandelion
24. Danshen (Salvia)
25. Devil's Claw
26. Dihydroepiandrosteroe (DHEA)
27. Dong Quai (Angelica)
28. Echinacea
29. Ephedra
30. Fenugreek
31. Feverfew
32. Feverfew
33. Fish Oils (Omega-3 Fatty Acids)
34. Flax Seed
35. Gamma Linoleic Acid
36. Garlic
37. Ginger
38. Gingko Biloba
39. Ginkgo
40. Ginseng
41. Glucosamine
42. Goldenseal
43. Horse Chestnut
44. Horseradish
45. Kava
46. Licorice
47. Meadowsweet
48. Melatonin
49. Melilot
50. Nattokinase
51. Onion
52. Pantethine
53. Papain (Papaya Extract)
54. Parsley
55. Passionflower
56. Policosanol
57. Poplar
58. Prickly Ash
59. Quassia
60. Red Clover
61. Resveratrol
62. Sea Buckthorn
63. St. John's Wort
64. Sweet Clover
65. Sweet Woodruff
66. Tonka Beans
67. Turmeric
68. Valerian
69. Vinpocetine
70. Vitamin C
71. Vitamin E
72. Wild Carrot
73. Wild Lettuce
74. Willow Bark
75. Wolfberry