If you have difficulty or pain when swallowing, you may have a medical condition affecting your esophagus or stomach. Serious conditions, such as cancer and advanced gastroesophageal reflux disorder, may require surgery to correct. Prior to surgery, your doctor will provide detailed instructions on what you need to do to prepare properly. Along with having a physical exam and blood tests, you may need to discontinue taking some dietary supplements, including herbs, minerals and vitamins. Consult your doctor before surgery to determine which supplements you need to stop taking.
General Precautions
Before having any type of surgery, including stomach and esophageal surgery, prepare a list of all your medications and dietary supplements. During the pre-operative surgical consultation, inform your physician of everything you take. Along with some herbs, mineral and vitamin supplements, you may need to discontinue taking some of your medications. Ask your surgeon for a complete list of supplements to avoid; she will advise you which dietary supplements and medications to stop taking before surgery and when to stop taking them.
Supplements That Increase Bleeding
Surgical procedures of the stomach and esophagus usually require cutting through some of your soft tissues and cause bleeding. Even diagnostic procedures, such as an endoscopy, carry a risk of bleeding. Although bleeding is a normal part of surgical procedures, it's crucial to stop taking certain herbal, mineral and vitamin supplements that increase the time it takes for your blood to clot. Discontinue taking vitamin E before surgery because it increases bleeding time and inhibits clotting, especially if you also take gingko biloba or feverfew, which also affect bleeding. Other supplements that increase bleeding and decrease blood clotting include fish oil, garlic, licorice, ginger, red clover, willow bark and dong quai.
Supplements Affecting Anesthesia
Your stomach or esophageal surgery will most likely include the administration of a sedative or anesthesia. Certain dietary supplements interfere with anesthesia and sedative medications used by your anesthesiologist, which impacts your health and safety during the surgical procedure. Phyllis A. Balch, author of "Prescription for Herbal Healing" says kava kava prolongs the effects of anesthesia and sedatives and should be discontinued at least two weeks prior to elective surgery. Other dietary supplements can affect anesthesia, such as St. John's wort, valerian root, licorice, melatonin and yohimbe.
Supplements Affecting Blood Pressure and Wound Healing
During any type of surgery, it's critical to your care for your blood pressure to remain stable. Discontinue taking any dietary supplements that raise or lower your blood pressure prior to having your surgery. Stop taking garlic, ginseng and ma huang, or ephedra, because they affect your blood pressure and can cause an irregular heartbeat. The University of Chicago Medical Center recommends discontinuing the use of echinacea as far ahead of your surgery as possible, as it can interfere with wound healing.
References
- University of Chicago Medical Center; New Recommendations Proposed for Safe Use of Herbal Medications by Patients Having Surgery; July 2001
- Reynolds Oral and Facial Surgery: Herbs & Supplements to Avoid or Allow Before Surgery
- "USA Today"; Avoid Herbal Remedies Before Surgery; July 2001
- AltMD: Vitamin E
- "Prescription for Herbal Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch; 2002
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