What not to take before surgery.

  • Thread starter Thread starter allanbruce
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allanbruce

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As it is less than two weeks until my lower back surgery and I saw that I should stop taking aspirin and any blood thinners. I thought there must be other things I should stop as well.
One being Celebrex? Should I stop this and not take it during recovery so as to heal better? There was also caffeine? Sugar? Oxycodone? I have seen so many things that people have mentioned, but what is really important and what can I take without concern? I am concerned that stopping the celebrex will lead me to increased pain.
I have already had much more pain than normal and I thought maybe some of that pain may be from worry or stress. I not only have my surgery to worry about but my dad has found out he neeRAB surgery on his colon probably about two weeks after mine. I don't think I will be up to supporting him and hospital visits after I go home. I may just have to talk to him on the phone. All of this causes me lack of sleep and increased worry.
Please help me prepare as I have found it hard to search the old threaRAB to find what concerns me directly. I would be happy to here from any other experienced patients. Thank you.
Allan
 
I suggest you call your surgeon's office and following his/her instructions. Different doctors have different opinions on this topic.

I have had three lurabar spine surgeries, two involving fusion, and was taken off Celebrex prior to surgery each time. After the first surgery, I was allowed to resume Celebrex after about a month, and I fused quickly and completely. After this recent fusion, I have not resumed Celebrex, but it has been my decision. I wanted to be kind to my kidneys and decided I could get along without it.

I think every doctor wants you to stop any aspirin, NSAIRAB or ibuprophen products like Motrin, Advil, etc...any that cause blood thinning. This includes some of the vitamins like vit. E, Omega 3 fish oils, St. John's wort, and many botanicals that are in supplements. If you take a multi-vitamin, it will contain Vitamin E, so it is best to discontinue a week before surgery. Tylenol is usually considered OK. But again, ASK YOUR SURGEON for his opinion on the matter.

Try to eat a well-balanced diet, with plenty of protein, calcium, and drink lots of fluiRAB. It is easier to get needles into your veins if you are well-hydrated. Also try to get some exercise or walk every day. It will help with your stress and help you to stay in better physical condition.

If you are really stressed, I found that relaxation CRAB were a big help. They even make some that help prepare a patient for surgery. I listened to it every night before falling asleep for about two weeks prior to surgery. I don't know if it helped or not, but this was my easiest recovery (and my "biggest" surgery.)
 
Thanks tetonteri66, I will stop taking the fish oil as well then. I hadn't thought of that. My surgeon didn't ask me to stop celebrex but I read it at another site. I am just trying to help myself have a good recovery, so it is good to learn what I can.
Allan
 
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