If you're headed for surgery, it's important to let your doctor know all the medications and supplements you are taking, including fish oil. Depending on the procedure, your doctor will decide whether fish oil will pose a risk for you during surgery. Because of its possible effect on bleeding, you may be asked to refrain from taking fish oil supplements or alter your dose for some time prior to surgery.
Fish Oil Benefits
Nutritionists recommend eating fish on a regular basis because of the health benefits of the omega-3 fatty acids in fish. If you can't get enough omega-3 fatty acids from food, some people turn to fish oil supplements to help with a range of health conditions, most commonly issues related to the heart and blood system. Heart attack survivors may take fish oil supplements to help reduce their risk of future heart problems. People with high triglycerides often use fish oil to help bring their levels into a healthier range.
Fish Oil Risks
Omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce pain and swelling, but the fatty acids also help to prevent blood from clotting easily. That might be good for a person with heart problems, but it may create a risk going into surgery. Researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, NC, found that patients who took fish oil supplements before surgery were more likely to need platelet transfusions. Researchers at Ohio State University report fish oil may slow the healing of acute wounds.
Dosing
Before surgery, talk to your doctor about the amount of fish oil you're getting in your diet and from supplements. MayoClinic.com reports that although omega-3 fatty acids may increase the risk of bleeding, low doses of fish oil don't seem to cause any significant bleeding risk. Very high doses may increase the risk of stroke, and high doses may lead to nosebleeds and blood in the urine. Fish oil supplements also can lead to gastrointestinal problems, such as belching, abdominal pain and bloating, burping, indigestion and diarrhea. Let your surgeon know about any problems you may be having in connection with fish oil supplements.
Surgery
Taking fish oil won't necessarily rule you out as a surgical patient or put you at risk. Doctors may order blood tests prior to surgery to assess how quickly your blood clots. Tests such as the PT, prothrombin time, and PTT, partial thromboplastin time, may be used to screen for potential bleeding problems. Once the results are in, your surgeon can make the call about whether to proceed.
References
- Medline Plus: Fish Oil
- American College of Surgeons: Fish Oil Supplements Increase Need for Platelets With Cardiac Surgery
- MayoClinic.com: Omega-3 fatty acids, fish oil, alpha-linolenic acid
- Ohio State University: Scientists Suspect Omega-3 Fatty Acids Could Slow Acute Wound Healing
- Boston University School of Medicine: Case 3: Mr. Gomez
- Lab Tests Online: PTT
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