How to Know Which Medications Are Safe to Take before Breast Reduction Surgery

You should talk to your plastic surgeon so you will know which medications are safe to take before breast reduction surgery. This is one of many conversations that you will be having with your doctor as you plan out your surgery.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Know which over-the-counter drugs to definitely avoid. These include virtually every over-the-counter cold medicine and virtually every over-the-counter painkiller as well. Even aspirin and ibuprofen are on the DO NOT TAKE list because they may increase bleeding.
2. Know which prescription medicines to avoid. Generally, if the drug has an anti-inflammatory effect or an anti-clotting effect, or is an opiate-based pain killer, the drug is not safe to take before a breast reduction surgery. Consult with your doctor before discontinuing the use of a prescription drug.
3. Know which vitamin and dietary supplements to avoid. Vitamin E can interfere with wound healing if taken in large doses, for example, and should be avoided. Tell your physician what dietary supplements and vitamins you are taking and ask what you should discontinue before the surgery.
4. Know which dietary drugs to avoid. Caffeine is a big culprit here. Do not use caffeine in the two weeks before your breast reduction surgery. Ask your doctor for more information about dietary drugs such as caffeine and alcohol and their potential impact.

Tips & Warnings

• Talk to your doctor about all the medications that you take, even the over-the-counter drugs and supplements. The drugs used in a breast reduction surgery may interact with your prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs and cause unwanted and perhaps life-threatening side-effects.
• Every person is different. The importance of a candid, face-to-face talk with a doctor about the drugs you take, whether recreational or medicinal, cannot be overstated. The same goes for any pre-existing medical conditions. Talk to your doctor.
• This article is for general information only. Consult with your doctor before discontinuing the use of a prescription drug.