I posted the message below on the "Vitamins and Supplements" board, but I'm not sure I will receive a reply on that one.
I'm planning to have back surgery the last week of March 2012. I have been taking 1000 IU of Vitamin D and a large Fish Oil capsule twice a day. I was told to stop them 10 days prior to surgery; I've been off them 4 days so far. The man who told me that was a scheduler and not a medical professional, MD, RN, etc Is he correct? I do know that surgical patients need to stop certain medications plus Vitamin E, but Vitamin D and Fish Oil??
Please call your surgeon's office and make this inquiry. While there are some medications and supplements that are universely stopped prior to surgery, like aspirin products, blood thinners, etc. some surgeons have unique restrictions that we might not know about. So just to be on the safe side, check with your doctor's office or nurse.
I know most surgeons want patients to stop herbal supplements a week prior to surgery, but I think Vit. D is OK.
I know that prior to my surgery I was instructed to stop taking anti-inflammatory meds, over the counter pain meds and was only allowed certain pain meds. I was miserable prior to the surgery. Post surgery I was told not to take certain meds for 6 months since it would inhibit bone growth (I can't remember if I was allowed Tylenol or Advil). Make sure you ask about every medication you are currently taking and anything you wish to take post surgery. That includes prescription, over the counter, herbal supplements, fish oil and any other vitamins. If it is in your medicine cabinet and think you may want to take it, write it down and ask. Write down their response to each medication as you may not remember. Good luck with your surgery. I would also keep a journal post surgery of the symptoms you are having and which meds help the pain and muscle spasms.
Even though the info came from the scheduler, that is standard procedure, the origin of the info is the doctors, and is almost always relayed that way. Same with the no food, no liquids, etc a certain number of hours prior. I have been told the same thing by the schedulers when I have had procedures done, and so has my hubby, and that was just for injections (multiple for both of us). I was also told the same thing by schedulers before a minor surgery I had in 2010, and my RF Ablation in October.
I had back surgery 3 months ago, and was instructed to not take fish oil, or any vitamin complex containing E. I was told both were blood thinners. Nothing was said about vitamin D.
The Following User Says Thank You to RPM12 For This Useful Post: senior41 (03-13-2012)
Stop Supplements Before Surgery?? 
