What medications should I stop taking before breast lift surgery?
Breast suspension is a common plastic surgery procedure that aims to improve the appearance of the breasts and restore their firmness and beauty. Before the operation, the patient not only needs to undergo a comprehensive physical examination and preoperative evaluation, but also needs to pay attention to stopping some medications that may affect the safety of the operation and recovery. Drug management is crucial to the smooth progress of the operation, so patients must strictly follow the doctor's advice to stop or adjust the use of drugs. This article will introduce in detail the types of drugs that need to be discontinued before breast suspension surgery and related precautions.
1. Drugs that affect anesthesia and bleeding
Anticoagulant drugs
Anticoagulants are drugs that inhibit the blood coagulation process and are often used to prevent thrombosis or treat thrombotic diseases. However, these drugs increase the risk of intraoperative bleeding and therefore need to be discontinued before surgery. Common anticoagulants include:
Note : The time of discontinuation of medication needs to be determined according to the doctor's instructions and the patient's specific condition. If the patient is receiving anticoagulant treatment, the doctor must be informed and the medication must be discontinued according to the doctor's instructions.
Warfarin : Warfarin is a commonly used oral anticoagulant that is often used to treat thrombotic diseases such as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Patients using warfarin should stop taking the drug at least 5 to 7 days before surgery.
Aspirin : Aspirin has an antiplatelet aggregation effect and can also affect blood coagulation. In most cases, doctors will advise patients to stop using aspirin 7 days before surgery.
Clopidogrel (Plavix) : This is an antiplatelet drug used to reduce the occurrence of cardiovascular events. Generally, patients need to stop taking it at least 7 days before surgery.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen , have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, but they can also inhibit platelet function, thereby increasing the risk of bleeding. These drugs should be discontinued at least one week before surgery. If the patient needs medication to control preoperative pain, they can consult a doctor for alternative medications.
2. Drugs that affect liver and kidney function or anesthetic effects
Steroid drugs
Steroid drugs (such as prednisone , dexamethasone , etc.) have anti-inflammatory effects and are often used to treat immune system diseases and allergic reactions. However, steroid drugs may have a negative impact on postoperative recovery, including delayed wound healing, increased risk of infection, etc. Especially when steroids are used in high doses, their inhibitory effect on the immune system is strong. Therefore, it is necessary to gradually reduce or stop the use of steroid drugs under the guidance of a doctor.
Hormone replacement therapy
Hormone replacement therapy is used to treat menopausal symptoms or improve estrogen levels. Estrogen drugs may affect thrombosis and increase the risk of thrombosis. Therefore, it is usually recommended to stop taking such drugs before surgery, especially in the case of long-term use. The discontinuation time is usually two weeks to one month before surgery.
Antibiotics and other drugs that interfere with anesthesia
Some antibiotics and drugs may have adverse reactions with anesthetics and affect the anesthesia effect. Before surgery, patients should inform their doctors if they are taking antibiotics or other long-term medications and follow the doctor's advice to stop using them.
3. Drugs that affect blood sugar control
Patients with diabetes need to pay special attention to the use of medications, because some drugs may affect blood sugar levels, thereby affecting recovery during surgery. Patients with diabetes should discuss medication adjustments with their doctors before surgery, especially oral hypoglycemic drugs and insulin .
Oral hypoglycemic drugs
Certain oral glucose-lowering drugs (such as metformin ) may cause postoperative complications such as lactic acidosis, and your doctor may recommend stopping these drugs 1 to 2 days before surgery.
insulin
Insulin is used to control blood sugar levels in diabetic patients. Before surgery, patients usually need to adjust the insulin dose to ensure blood sugar stability during surgery. Postoperative blood sugar fluctuations may affect wound healing, so close monitoring is required.
4. Supplements and Herbs
Vitamin E vs. Herbal Supplements
Vitamin E is widely used for antioxidant and skin care, but it also has an anticoagulant effect, which may affect bleeding during surgery. Therefore, doctors usually recommend stopping the use of vitamin E and other supplements with anticoagulant effects 2 weeks before surgery.
Herbs
Some herbal supplements, especially those with anticoagulant effects such as ginseng and ginkgo biloba , may increase the risk of bleeding. Patients should consult their doctor before surgery and stop taking herbal supplements that may interfere with surgical safety.
5. Antidepressants and Psychotropic Drugs
Some antidepressants and psychiatric drugs may affect surgical recovery. For example, tricyclic antidepressants (such as amitriptyline ) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (such as sertraline ) may affect blood coagulation or anesthesia. Patients should inform their doctors if they are taking these drugs and adjust their medication according to the doctor's advice.
6. Personalized medication adjustment
Each patient's physical condition is different, so medication adjustments before breast suspension surgery should be personalized based on the patient's specific health status, medications currently being taken, and other underlying diseases. The patient should communicate closely with the surgeon and anesthesiologist to ensure that all medication adjustments are conducive to the smooth progress of the operation.
Beauty Encyclopedia Tips:
Breast suspension surgery is a plastic surgery that requires delicate operation. Preoperative medication management is crucial. Patients must inform their doctors of all medications and supplements they use before surgery, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and herbal medicines. Reasonable drug discontinuation or adjustment can reduce the risks during surgery and ensure smooth postoperative recovery. Patients should strictly follow the doctor's advice and make adequate preoperative preparations to obtain the best surgical results and recovery experience.