“Should I stop taking blood thinners before anesthesia?”

You most definitely should stop taking the blood thinners before your surgery, otherwise, the surgery will be rescheduled. There are several classes of blood thinners, antiplatelet drugs such as Plavix and Aspirin, usually stopped 5 to 7 days preop. For some Surgeries, Aspirin could be continued. Also, there are medications that block the clotting factors such as Coumadin aka Warfarin, and the newest, like Eliquis. Those should be stopped at least 1 week and 48 to 72 hours before the surgery at the latest. Depending on which one you take you should receive specific instructions on when to stop and when to resume taking them postop.

Best to be off blood thinners like Eliquis and Coumadin for 5 days prior to surgery....and off aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen for 10-14 days. This is due to the increased potential for surgical bleeding, not a reaction to anesthetics.

Please discuss with Surgeon and Anesthesia, it depends on the type of drug.