Accessory mastectomy is a common plastic surgery procedure, mainly used to remove excess breast tissue and fat in the armpits or chest to improve appearance and comfort. Medication management before and after the operation is of great significance for postoperative recovery and prevention of complications. This article will discuss in detail whether it is necessary to stop medication before and after accessory mastectomy, as well as related precautions.
1. Precautions for taking medication before surgery
Before the accessory breast removal surgery, patients should proactively inform their doctors of all medications they are taking, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, nutritional supplements, and Chinese herbal medicines. Certain drugs may affect the outcome of the surgery or increase the risk of intraoperative bleeding. Common categories of drugs that require attention include:
Anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs : such as warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel, etc. These drugs will significantly increase the risk of bleeding during and after surgery. It is usually recommended to stop taking them one week before surgery, but the specific discontinuation time needs to be determined based on the doctor's assessment of the patient's coagulation function and thrombosis risk.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) : such as ibuprofen and naproxen, have antiplatelet effects and may increase bleeding. It is recommended to stop using them before surgery.
Chinese herbal medicine and nutritional supplements : Some herbal medicines such as ginkgo biloba, ginseng, fish oil, etc. may also affect blood coagulation. You should inform your doctor before surgery, and some of them may need to be discontinued.
Corticosteroids and immunosuppressants : Patients taking long-term corticosteroids should inform their physicians that the dose may need to be adjusted to prevent postoperative infection and delayed healing.
Other special drugs : such as anti-diabetic drugs, anti-hypertensive drugs, etc. should be adjusted reasonably according to the doctor's advice.
Reasonable medication discontinuation arrangements before surgery play an important role in reducing surgical risks and promoting postoperative recovery. Patients should not stop medication on their own and should strictly follow the doctor's instructions for adjustments.
2. Management of postoperative medication
After accessory breast removal surgery, patients usually need to take antibiotics to prevent infection and appropriate analgesics to relieve pain. The specific medication instructions are as follows:
Antibiotic use : After surgery, short-term use of antibiotics to prevent infection is common, depending on the type of surgery and the doctor's judgment. The choice and dosage of antibiotics should be based on the doctor's advice. It is not advisable to stop taking the medication on your own or extend the use time at will.
Analgesics : Postoperative pain is usually mild, and your doctor may prescribe over-the-counter analgesics such as acetaminophen or low-dose nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. If the pain is severe, your doctor will consider other analgesic options.
Resumption of anticoagulant drugs : For patients who need to take anticoagulants for a long time due to illness before surgery, they should gradually resume taking the drugs under the guidance of a doctor according to the risk of bleeding and thrombosis after surgery to avoid thrombotic events.
Topical medications : Your doctor may recommend anti-inflammatory creams, wound-healing medications, or other topical care measures to help reduce postoperative infection and scarring.
Factors that influence the decision to stop medication
Whether to stop taking the drug and when to stop taking it depends on many factors, including:
Patient's physical condition : Patients with chronic diseases such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, diabetes, and immune system diseases require individualized assessment of the risk of discontinuation of medication.
Drug properties : Different drugs have different half-lives, bleeding risks, and effects on coagulation mechanisms.
Surgical risks : Although accessory breast removal surgery is a superficial surgery, there is still a risk of bleeding and infection, so cautious medication management is required.
Doctor's experience and standards : The surgeon and anesthesiologist should comprehensively assess the patient's condition and develop a reasonable medication regimen and discontinuation plan.
IV. The importance of patient cooperation
Patients should inform their doctors in detail of all medications and health conditions before surgery. Strictly following the doctor's instructions for medication and care after surgery will help the surgery go smoothly and help recovery quickly, especially:
①. Do not adjust the dosage or stop taking the medicine without authorization.
②. Report abnormal symptoms promptly, such as excessive bleeding, severe pain, signs of infection, etc.
③. Go for regular follow-up visits and follow the doctor’s follow-up arrangements.
V. Handling of Special Situations
Diabetic patients : blood sugar needs to be controlled before surgery, blood sugar fluctuations need to be monitored after surgery, and hypoglycemic drugs need to be adjusted appropriately to prevent infection and delayed healing.
Patients with bleeding tendency : coagulation function should be further examined and the anticoagulation regimen should be adjusted.
For patients taking hormone drugs : immune function needs to be assessed before surgery, and attention should be paid to preventing infection and delayed wound healing after surgery.
VI. Related Research and Clinical Practice
At present, there is a lack of specific guidelines on stopping medication before and after accessory mastectomy. Most of them draw on the relevant principles of plastic surgery and general surgery. Studies have shown that the reasonable discontinuation of anticoagulants and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can effectively reduce intraoperative bleeding; reasonable antibiotic prevention plans can reduce the risk of postoperative infection. A comprehensive assessment of medication and health status before surgery is the key to achieving safe surgery and good therapeutic effects.
Beauty Encyclopedia Tips:
Medication management before and after accessory breast removal surgery must be carried out under the guidance of a professional doctor. Patients should actively cooperate, accurately provide medication information, and reasonably adjust medications according to the doctor's orders. Reasonable discontinuation and resumption of medication are important measures to reduce surgical risks and promote postoperative recovery. Do not stop medication on your own or change the treatment plan at will to ensure the safety and efficacy of the operation.