Did my supplements ruin my nipple recon?

laurakay

I had nipple reconstruction on W, and have been bleeding like crazy.  My ps now says the tissue may have died, and he doesn't know why; just happens sometimes, but rarely.

 Now I feel so upset thinking perhaps all the fish oil and turmeric I take/consume caused me to have so much bleeding, and not to be able to get correct blood supply.  The only thing I was told to stop taking was aspirin.  

Did I screw up?  Doc says can't know until next week what's going to happen here.  

Is it even stupider of me to now ask you if you recommend anything for me to take NOW?  Of course, my ps never has any suggestions besides shrugging your shoulders and hoping for the best. 

dlb823

Laurakay, no, you didn't screw up, but your PS should have given you a complete list of drugs and supplements to avoid for at least 2 to 3 weeks prior to any surgery, including Vitamin E, Fish Oil, and Turmeric (among other things), as well as the aspirin you were told about. 

And I'm appalled if he truly just shrugged his shoulders in response to your current situation.  Wow!  I may not have the total picture, but if this is close to what's happened, I don't think it would be at all unreasonable to find a new PS.  It seems like he made a pretty big boo-boo (no pun intended) by not being sure you were off ALL blood thinning supplements prior to surgery.      Deanna 

LJ13-2

"Supplement" and "drug" are terms we humans have created.

If you take something that has been extracted and that has effects on the body, it acts as a drug, even if you buy it at Vitamin Shoppe.

I strongly recommend that everyone tell their doctors all the drugs AND supplements they take, before any surgery or treatment plan is developed.

MsBliss

Deanna, Turmeric or curcumin too?  Are you sure?  Curcumin doesn't not thin the blood, but do you mean that it may interfere with healing?

dlb823

MsBliss, turmeric was on my extensive list of meds & supplements to stop taking prior to surgery, and I just pulled up this from a published list of SEs:  

• BLEEDING

Since turmeric is known to inhibit platelet aggregation to decrease blood clot formation, it can also lead to bleeding. It is important to take the right amount of turmeric to avoid turmeric side effects.

I think turmeric and curcumin are one in the same, but even if they're not exactly the same, here's what I just found re. curcumin:

Curcumin side effects also include an increased risk of bleeding. Since curcumin slows down the clotting of blood, it is not recommended for those who have preexisting bleeding disorders. Furthermore, risk of bleeding out is added when it is taken together with other drugs, like anticoagulants. Curcumin can also cause more bleeding during and after surgery, and should not be consumed for at least two weeks prior to surgery.

I'm not a scientist, but it seems like something to err on the side of caution about and stop taking prior to any surgery.     Deanna