What should I avoid 7 days before surgery?

September 21, 2025 •

4 min read

Over 28 million inpatient surgical procedures are performed annually in the United States alone. To ensure a smooth process and successful outcome, it's critical to know what should I avoid 7 days before surgery. The following guide outlines key precautions for a safe and effective procedure.

Quick Summary

For a safer procedure and faster recovery, patients must cease taking specific medications, supplements, and herbal remedies one week prior to surgery, along with avoiding alcohol and limiting certain foods. Adherence to these guidelines is crucial for preventing complications and ensuring the effectiveness of anesthesia and healing.

Key Points

Medication Management: Discontinue blood-thinning medications and NSAIDs like aspirin and ibuprofen at least seven days prior, but only after consulting your doctor.
Herbal Supplements: Stop taking all herbal remedies and dietary supplements, including fish oil, ginseng, and ginkgo biloba, up to two weeks before surgery.
Alcohol and Nicotine: Abstain from alcohol for at least one week and stop smoking or vaping completely to promote better healing and avoid anesthesia complications.
Dietary Considerations: Avoid processed, fatty, and sugary foods, and adhere to specific fasting instructions for solid foods and clear liquids on the final day.
Physical and Mental Preparation: Reduce strenuous physical activity and manage anxiety through calming techniques to ensure your body is in the best possible state for the procedure.

Important Medications to Discontinue

One of the most critical steps in preparing for surgery is managing your medications. Your surgical team will provide specific instructions tailored to your health profile, but several general rules apply, particularly regarding blood-thinning agents and certain over-the-counter drugs.

Blood Thinners and NSAIDs

Many common medications can affect blood clotting and should be stopped at least seven days before surgery to minimize the risk of excessive bleeding. Always discuss any changes with the prescribing doctor before discontinuing these, as some patients require bridging therapy.

Aspirin: This common pain reliever and anti-clotting agent must typically be stopped a full week before the procedure.
NSAIDs: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve) interfere with blood clotting and should be avoided.
Prescription Blood Thinners: Medications such as warfarin (Coumadin), clopidogrel (Plavix), and rivaroxaban (Xarelto) must be managed carefully in coordination with your doctor.

Herbal Remedies and Supplements

Just because a supplement is natural doesn't mean it's safe before surgery. Many herbs and supplements can interact with anesthesia or increase bleeding risk. The general recommendation is to stop all of these at least 1-2 weeks prior to surgery.

Common culprits: Garlic, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, and fish oil are known to have blood-thinning properties.
Other supplements: St. John’s Wort can affect how anesthesia works, while Vitamin E has a mild blood-thinning effect.
Weight loss supplements: These can contain undisclosed ingredients that pose a risk during surgery. Stop all of them well in advance.

Dietary Restrictions and Habits

Your diet and lifestyle habits in the week leading up to surgery play a significant role in your body’s readiness for the procedure and its recovery.

Alcohol Consumption

Heavy alcohol consumption before surgery poses several risks. Alcohol acts as a blood thinner, which can increase bleeding. It also dehydrates you and can interfere dangerously with anesthesia and post-operative pain medication. It is strongly advised to stop all alcohol consumption at least seven days before surgery, and in many cases, longer.

Smoking and Vaping

Smoking is detrimental to the healing process. Nicotine constricts blood vessels, reducing oxygen flow to tissues, which can impair wound healing and increase the risk of infection. The sooner you can quit before surgery, the better your outcome will be. The final week is a crucial time to be completely nicotine-free.

Foods and Drinks

Specific foods should be avoided to prevent stomach upset and complications during anesthesia. Processed and fatty foods can be difficult to digest, while excessive sugar can negatively impact your immune system.

Limit: Highly processed foods, greasy meals, and excessive caffeine. Caffeine withdrawal can cause headaches, so reduce intake gradually if needed.
Avoid on the last day: Dairy products are often restricted closer to surgery as they can take longer to digest and increase mucus production.
Final day fasting: Most procedures require fasting from solid food and dairy after midnight the night before. Follow specific instructions regarding clear liquids.

A Comparison of Items to Avoid


Item Category	Why You Should Avoid It	Timing (General Guideline)
Aspirin & NSAIDs	Increase bleeding risk by thinning blood and inhibiting clotting.	At least 7 days
Herbal Supplements	Interact with anesthesia, increase bleeding, or have other unpredictable effects.	7 to 14 days
Alcohol	Thins blood, dehydrates the body, and interacts with anesthesia.	At least 7 days
Smoking/Vaping	Impairs oxygen delivery, compromises wound healing, and increases infection risk.	As early as possible, minimum 7 days
High-Fat/Greasy Foods	Are harder to digest and can increase stomach irritation before anesthesia.	1-2 days
Certain Diabetic Meds	Can cause dangerous fluctuations in blood sugar during and after the procedure.	Variable; based on doctor's instructions

Mental and Physical Preparations

Beyond avoiding substances, proper mental and physical preparation is vital for a positive surgical outcome.

Avoid Strenuous Exercise

While light to moderate exercise is often encouraged to boost overall health, it is wise to avoid intense workouts in the week before surgery. This prevents unnecessary stress on the body and potential injury that could delay the procedure. Gentle walking or light stretching is generally acceptable.

Emotional and Psychological Readiness

Anxiety is common before surgery. Taking steps to manage stress can improve your mental state and contribute to a smoother experience. Consider meditation, reading, or other calming activities. Ensure you have a clear understanding of your procedure by talking with your medical team. You can find more authoritative information on preparing for surgery here.

Conclusion: Your Role in a Successful Procedure

Understanding what should I avoid 7 days before surgery is a fundamental part of patient responsibility. By adhering to the guidelines regarding medications, supplements, alcohol, smoking, and diet, you actively contribute to your safety and recovery. These precautions help prevent complications like excessive bleeding, adverse reactions to anesthesia, and delayed healing. Always consult your surgical team for personalized advice, but know that these general principles are the foundation of preparing your body for a successful procedure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Aspirin is a blood thinner that can increase the risk of excessive bleeding during and after surgery. Stopping it seven days prior allows its blood-thinning effects to wear off, ensuring your blood can clot properly.

No, you should avoid alcohol for at least seven days before surgery. Alcohol can thin your blood, dehydrate you, and interfere with the effectiveness and safety of anesthesia and pain medications.

Many herbal supplements can increase bleeding risk or interact with anesthesia. Common ones to avoid include garlic, ginseng, ginkgo biloba, fish oil, St. John’s Wort, and Vitamin E. Always disclose all supplements to your surgical team.

Smoking and vaping constrict blood vessels, reducing the oxygen supply needed for proper healing. This increases the risk of infection, delays wound healing, and raises the likelihood of respiratory and cardiovascular complications during and after surgery.

No, it is best to avoid strenuous exercise in the week before surgery. Light, gentle activity like walking is generally safe, but intense workouts should be stopped to prevent unnecessary stress or injury to your body.

If you eat or drink anything after your designated cut-off time, your surgery may be delayed or cancelled. Food and liquid in the stomach increase the risk of aspiration (inhaling stomach contents into the lungs) while under anesthesia, which can be life-threatening.

Yes, absolutely. It is critical to provide your surgical team with a complete and accurate list of all prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, herbal supplements, and vitamins you take. This information is vital for your safety.