Question:
Prozac and Fish Oil Capsules are Blood Thinners?

Today my psychiatrist told me that the Prozac she prescribes (and all SSRI's), as well as the Omega3 fish oil capsules I take, are both blood thinners. The SSRI's can cause upper GI bleeding, according to the info I read online. Has anyone's bariatric surgeon told them to stop taking either of these sometime before surgery? Just wondering if anyone had heard of this and if these things can cause enough blood thinning to be problematic with WLS. Thanks!    — Deborah L. (posted on December 29, 2003)

December 29, 2003
I work as a nurse doing surgery. We ask people to stop aspirin,nsaids,Ibuprofen Vit E, all herbal products (fish oil would apply)before surgery.I have never heard of Prozac being a concern. ALso, I think there is difference between thinning of the blood and GI bleeding. Thinning of the blood doesn't cause GI bleed. The aspirin products can be harsh on the GI lining and cause erosion/ulcers, which can bleed. I think its 2 seperate things. I would call a pharmacist re; Prozac also.
   — ZZ S.

December 29, 2003
Hi, Deborah: I take Zoloft, which is an SSRI, and I took it up to the night before surgery and my surgeon had me start taking it the day after surgery. On the day of surgery, I was too loopy from all the drugs to get depressed!!! LOL! I've never heard that SSRI's are blood thinners. Regarding the fish oil, I would definitely ask your surgeon about that one. Good luck to you!
   — Moysa B.

December 29, 2003
Hi Deborah I just had my surgery a little over a month ago and I am on Prozac. My surgeron had me take my Prozac up to the morning of my surgery and then the next day, so I never missed a dose. I never had a problem and my psychiatrist or surgeon never mentioned any concern about me taking Prozac.
   — KittyKatt

December 31, 2003
I have a history of blood clots so I am on coumadin. A week before my surgery the doctor had me switch to heperin which I took until the morning of surgery. Immediately after I was started back on blood thinners. I had no bleeding or any other difficulties. I am six months out and 68 years old.
   — Carol H.