Don't Make These Surgery Mistakes: The Essential Pre-Op Guide

Nearly 1 in 5 patients postpone elective surgery out of fear of anesthesia. As a physician who has performed over 10,000 anesthetics, I've learned that proper preparation can significantly reduce complications, anxiety, and pain. Here's what you need to know about supplements, medications, and substances before your procedure.

Important reminder: you should ALWAYS speak with your doctor before changing any medications or supplements, especially before surgery!

What You SHOULD Consider Taking Before Surgery

Surgery creates significant physical trauma that requires proper nutritional support for optimal healing and recovery.

Essential Nutrients for Recovery

• ‍Protein is crucial—aim for 1.5-2 grams per kilogram of body weight daily, higher than baseline needs. Focus on glutamine and arginine to support new collagen formation and faster wound healing.
• ‍Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) can reduce post-surgery heart complications like atrial fibrillation. This mitochondrial compound is especially important for patients at higher risk of surgical arrhythmias.
• ‍Zinc is necessary for wound healing, particularly for skin repair. Post-operative requirements may exceed normal dietary intake.
• ‍Magnesium serves dual purposes: supporting wound healing and reducing certain types of post-operative pain. Always consult your doctor first, especially with kidney problems.

Natural Anti-Inflammatory and Pain Relief

• ‍Arnica in homeopathic doses has been shown to reduce post-surgical bruising—even small doses can be surprisingly effective.
• ‍Bromelain (from pineapple) offers anti-inflammatory effects that may reduce surgical pain.
• ‍Curcumin can help with post-operative pain but may increase bleeding risk—discuss with your surgeon first.
• ‍Omega-3 fatty acids have mixed evidence for pain relief and can modestly increase bleeding risk.

Additional Considerations

• ‍Vitamin D should be optimized to mid-to-high normal ranges based on blood tests for enhanced muscle recovery.
• ‍Aromatherapy with lavender, peppermint, or ginger essential oils can reduce anxiety and nausea.
• ‍Mental health preparation is crucial—meet with mental health professionals before surgery to address anxiety and discuss any PTSD history with your surgical team.
• ‍Melatonin can help with sleep disruption from surgery and anesthesia—generally safe when discussed with your doctor.
• ‍Honey and licorice can soothe post-operative sore throat from breathing tubes.

What You Should NOT Take Before Surgery

Critical Medications to Avoid

• ‍GLP-1 agonists (like Ozempic) should typically be held for a week before surgery due to aspiration risk from delayed gastric emptying. This recommendation varies among doctors—discuss with your surgeon.
• ‍SGLT-2 inhibitors (like Jardiance) should be stopped before surgery to minimize ketoacidosis risk during fasting and surgical stress.

Substances That Complicate Anesthesia

• ‍Cannabis increases anesthesia dose requirements, potentially leading to under-dosing and intraoperative awareness. The timing for cessation depends on consumption method—discuss with your anesthesiologist.
• ‍Stimulants (methamphetamines, cocaine) can cause life-threatening blood pressure swings and may result in surgery cancellation.
• ‍Alcohol should be avoided for weeks before surgery as it can cause bleeding complications and delay wound healing.
• ‍Smoking (anything, but especially cigarettes) should be stopped—even stopping the day of surgery improves outcomes and reduces scarring.

Never Break the Fasting Rules

Never eat or drink during your pre-surgery fasting window. Food or stomach acids can be aspirated during anesthesia, causing life-threatening lung complications.

Special Considerations

• ‍Peptides like BPC-157 have anecdotal benefits but lack high-quality safety data. Discuss oral formulations with your doctor.
• ‍NAD+ may help with cognitive and pain recovery, but requires physician supervision.
• Always continue essential heart medications like beta blockers—forgetting these can make anesthesia more dangerous.

The Bottom Line

Proper surgical preparation can dramatically improve your outcomes and recovery experience. Always discuss your complete supplement and medication plan with your surgical team—including substances you might not think to mention like cannabis or recreational drugs.

Always consult with your healthcare providers before making any changes to your medications or supplements before surgery. Individual needs vary, and your medical team knows your specific situation best.