Stop Benicar HCT Before Surgery?

[TwinkieFan]

I am going in for gallbladder removal in 4 days and no one has told me to stop taking Benicar HCT beforehand.  I'm on a 20/12.5 dose once daily, so it's pretty low, but won't it possibly cause problems with the anaesthesia/barbituates or if they have to give me morphine afterwards (not likely, but possible)?

Have to assume the surgeon would've told me to discontinue it if important, but I don't want to get checked in, talk to the anaesthesioligist and have to re-schedule because I should have stopped taking the bp medication...

[TwinkieFan]

For the record, I had my gallbladder removed today laparoscopically and did not stop taking the Benicar HCT.  No troubles that they felt worth mentioning, so it does sound like at my dosage, it was fine.

And, yeah...the surgery itself was unbelievably easy!  I was talking to "the crew" in the OR, the anesthesiologist said something about giving me some fresh air (oxygen), then said "I'm going to put you out now" and the next thing I remember is waking up slowly in recovery.  No sore throat, slight soreness in shoulders which is manageable by getting up and walking around, but quite sore around the upper abdomen (managed with Vicodin).  Went home an hour or so after the actual operation was finished...

But enough about a GB surgery in the Heart forum...just wanted to report that the Benicar HCT bp med seemed ok to keep taking for this particular outpatient surgery...can you tell I'm relieved?  =)

[erijon]

If they're doing it by scope, the first day at home will be a little uncomfortable, mostly on the incision in your navel, I was in great shape by day 3, back to work in 5 days with no issues.

In looking back, it was my first surgery as well and I can't believe how easy it was. I always heard about how you just go to sleep and then wake up and it's over but never believed it, but it's really that way. The last thing I remember is saying "100, 99" and the lights went out. The next thing I remember is waking up 45 minutes later, just that easy!

[TwinkieFan]

Thanks for the response.  I listed the prescriptions and OTC stuff I'm on while in the surgeon consult and they didn't say to stop any of them, so I guess I should assume it's ok to keep on taking it.  I'll call their office this morning just to be sure...they were in a teensy bit of a rush during my consult as he was being called away to do an appendectomy.  I think the nurse doing my background was more concerned with getting him out the door than he was...very calm, collected dude.  =)

Nervous because it's my first surgery, but everyone tells me it's "cake", especially when they have the luxury of scheduling it, so I'm mostly concerned about how I'll feel at home for the few days afterwards.

Thanks again!

[erijon]

I had my gallbladder out while on Benicar HCT 40/12.5, don't remember being asked to stop. Have you asked your surgeon?

FYI, this surgery was a piece of cake. I had an appointment for 9:00 AM and was back home on the couch watching TV by 11:30 AM, pretty cool!

Let me know if you have any questions about it.

Good luck,

Jon