What medications should I avoid before breast cancer surgery?

You should inform your doctor of any medications you are taking. You may be told to discontinue them before surgery. All aspirin-like drugs should be discontinued for ten days prior to surgery. High doses of vitamin E, C and gingko Biloba should also be avoided. All of these can interfere with blood clotting during surgery.

Consult with your oncologist and surgeons to get a list of medications to avoid. My patients are instructed to avoid aspirin, and all aspirin containing products. Advil, Motrin must also be discontinued 5 days prior to surgery due to their risk of increasing bleeding and lack of clotting. Herbal products such as the G's (Ginseng, Garlic, Gingkoba, etc.) should be held 2 weeks prior to surgery. We instruct all women to discontinue oral-contraceptives 2 weeks before surgery to prevent venous stasis in the lower extremities and pelvic venous system which may lead to a deep venous thrombosis or life threatening pulmonary embolus.