Dr. Garges Surgery Instructions: Pre- and Post- Operative Patients

Important: These instructions are general educational guidelines only. Specific surgical instructions may vary depending on your procedure, medical history, medications, and surgeon recommendations.

This is not a complete medication list. If you are unsure whether a medication or supplement should be stopped before surgery, please contact the office or prescribing physician for guidance.

Medications to Discontinue Before Surgery

Please do not take any of the following medications for at least seven (7) days prior to surgery unless otherwise instructed by your physician.

If you are taking aspirin, blood thinners, anticoagulants, or prescription medications for your heart or circulation, do not stop them without first consulting the physician who prescribed them.

If you are undergoing spinal fusion surgery, you may be instructed to avoid NSAIDs for approximately three months after surgery or until your surgeon advises otherwise.

Failure to follow pre-operative medication instructions may require your procedure to be postponed or rescheduled for patient safety.

NSAIDs and Anti-Inflammatory Medications
Advil	Aleve	Anaprox	Ansaid	Arthrotec	Bextra	Celebrex	Daypro
Diclofenac	Feldene	Ibuprofen	Indocin	Ketoprofen	Lodine	Mobic	Motrin
Naprosyn	Naproxen	Oruvail	Relafen	Toradol	Vicoprofen	Voltaren
Medications Containing Aspirin
Alka-Seltzer	Aspirin	Anacin	Bayer Arthritis	Bufferin	Darvon Compound	Ecotrin	Excedrin
Fiorinal	Pepto-Bismol	Percodan
Anticoagulants and Antithrombotics (Consult your physician regarding plans for stopping these medications.)
Aggrenox	Coumadin	Ecotrin	Fragmin	Halfprin	Heparin	Lovenox	Orgaran
Persantine	Plavix	Ticlid
MAO Inhibitors (Consult your physician regarding stopping these medications.)
Nardil (Phenelzine)	Parnate (Tranylcypromine)
Herbal Medications and Supplements
In general, herbal products and vitamin supplements should be discontinued before surgery unless otherwise instructed by your physician. Some supplements may increase bleeding risk or interfere with anesthesia and recovery.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine	Alpha-Lipoic Acid	Appetite Depressants	Chamomile	Cinnamon
Creatine	Echinacea	Ephedra	Garlic	Ginger
Gingko Biloba	Ginseng	Glucosamine-Chondroitin	Glutamine	Goldenseal
Fish Oil	Kava Kava	L-Carnosine	Licorice	Lovaza
Milk Thistle	Multivitamins	Ma Huang	Omega-3	Resveratrol
Skullcap	Saw Palmetto	St. John’s Wort	Valerian	Vitamin E (14 days before surgery)

If you are unsure whether a medication or supplement should be stopped before surgery, please contact our office at 281-333-2727.