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Do one need to stop blood thinner before surgery?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I am 55 years old and considering weight loss surgery to manage my obesity and high cholesterol. I had a mild heart attack two years ago, and my cardiologist has advised me to lose weight. However, I am concerned about whether the surgery itself could pose a risk to my heart. Would a gastric sleeve or gastric bypass be the safer option for someone with heart disease?Additionally, I am taking a blood thinner. Would I need to stop it before surgery, and if so, would that increase my risk of complications?

Lastly, I am currently working on making lifestyle changes. Should I attempt to lose some weight naturally before undergoing surgery, or would that not be necessary?

Kindly help.

Thank you.
Answered by Dr. Christian Chisom Nwamadi

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Christian Chisom Nwamadi is a dedicated general practitioner and family physician with a strong focus on primary care and preventive medicine. He is skilled in diagnosing and managing a wide range of medical conditions across all age groups. Dr. Nwamadi is committed to delivering patient-centered care with compassion, clinical accuracy, and attention to individual health needs.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern.

Please provide your weight and height, as this information will help us calculate your body mass index (BMI). Additionally, what was your cholesterol level when it was last checked? Both pieces of information are essential in determining the most suitable medical approach for your weight loss journey. Secondly, blood thinners are generally discontinued before surgery, as they increase the risk of excessive bleeding.

Kindly provide the requested information so that we can offer you the best possible care.

I hope this information helps you.

Please let us know if you have any further queries.

Thank you.

Medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team
Published At June 1, 2025
Reviewed At June 5, 2025

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Christian Chisom Nwamadi is a dedicated general practitioner and family physician with a strong focus on primary care and preventive medicine. He is skilled in diagnosing and managing a wide range of medical conditions across all age groups. Dr. Nwamadi is committed to delivering patient-centered care with compassion, clinical accuracy, and attention to individual health needs.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Christian Chisom Nwamadi
Dr. Christian Chisom Nwamadi

General Practitioner

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Christian Chisom Nwamadi is a dedicated general practitioner and family physician with a strong focus on primary care and preventive medicine. He is skilled in diagnosing and managing a wide range of medical conditions across all age groups. Dr. Nwamadi is committed to delivering patient-centered care with compassion, clinical accuracy, and attention to individual health needs.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality
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