What to tell your surgeon before an operation

The things patients most often forget to mention.

Please note"It's only a herb" is the most common reason people leave something out. Your anaesthetist needs to know. Take a written list with you.

Every herb, churna and avaleha

हर जड़ी-बूटी, चूर्ण व अवलेह

Ayurvedic, Unani, homeopathic — list them all, however long-standing or mild they seem.

Documented effect

Bhasma and metal-bearing preparations

भस्म व धातु-युक्त औषधियाँ

These contain metals, which matters for pre-operative testing.

Documented effect

Vitamins and supplements

विटामिन व सप्लीमेंट

Vitamin E, fish oil and garlic capsules all affect bleeding.

Documented effect

Daily teas and kadhas

रोज़ की चाय व काढ़े

A kadha taken every day can add up to a medicinal dose.

Traditional caution

When you last took it

कब आख़िरी बार लिया

The date matters, not just the name.

Documented effect

On this page
Documented effect — A recorded pharmacological effect or drug interaction.
Traditional caution — Avoided in classical practice; modern evidence is limited.

What to tell your surgeon before an operation

See also