If you’re having surgery that involves anesthesia, both your surgeon and your anesthesiologist may ask you what medications you take. It’s important to mention not only prescription medications but also over-the-counter medications, including herbs and supplements. Flaxseed oil, like many supplements, can have side effects that could affect the outcome of your surgical procedure. Anesthesiologists monitor not only your breathing but also your blood pressure, blood glucose levels and other important parameters that flaxseed oil could affect during surgery and immediately after.
Bleeding Risks
Platelets are small fragments of blood cells that stick together to prevent bleeding at the site of trauma, whether the trauma occurs from accidental injury or from surgery. Because flaxseed can inhibit normal platelet function, your doctor will most likely recommend stopping all types of flaxseed before surgery. The time recommended may vary, depending on the type of surgery being done and your doctor’s preferences. Excessive bleeding during surgery could lower your blood pressure to dangerous levels and could also affect the amount of oxygen that reaches your body in the blood cells.
Medication Interactions
Flaxseed and flaxseed oil can affect the absorption of oral medications. Most anesthetics are given via intravenous infusion or directly into your lungs, but for minor surgery, oral medication may be given as a sedative or relaxant. Do not take flaxseed oil at the same time as oral medications, even if your doctor allows you to take it before surgical procedures. Take flaxseed oil either one hour before or two hours after any other medications, the University of Maryland Medical Center recommends.
Blood Sugar Effects
Flaxseed and flaxseed oil may lower blood glucose levels, although studies have not proven this conclusively. If you have diabetes, your anesthesiologist may monitor your blood glucose levels during surgery. Flaxseed oil could cause your blood pressure to drop lower than normal.
Considerations
If you take medications to control your blood glucose levels or to decrease blood clotting, flaxseed oil may alter the amount of medication you need to maintain stable levels. When you stop taking flaxseed oil prior to surgery, you may need to raise your dose of blood thinners or anti-diabetic medications. Your doctor may want to check your blood levels before surgery to see if stopping flaxseed oil has had an effect on your medical condition.
