NSAID's Before and After Surgery
It’s also important to know that all over-the-counter anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) EXCEPT Tylenol are mild blood thinners.
This includes medications like:
- Motrin (generic: ibuprofen
- Aleve (generic: naproxen)
- Aspirin
Prescription anti-inflammatories such as Celebrex should also be treated in the same fashion.
These medications must be stopped 7 days prior to surgery. During this time, Tylenol (acetominophen) is the only OTC pain reliever allowed.
There are also some prescription NSAID’s that need to be stopped, which will be discussed at your pre-op/consent visit if applicable.
After surgery, gastric bypass patients should never resume these medications, as they greatly increase the risk of a marginal ulcer, which is an ulcer that occurs at the junction of the gastric pouch and the small intestinal connection.
Sleeve, SIPS, and band patients can resume these medications 4 weeks after surgery.