After surgery, it’s natural for you to want to manage your pain and anxiety. Edibles can be effective in alleviating post-surgical discomfort. However, it’s essential to know when in your recovery journey to reintroduce them to minimize the risk of unwanted side effects. When taken too soon after surgery, edibles can interact with prescribed medications and interfere with the healing process. In this blog, we will explain how edibles work, how to manage their use before and after surgery, and the risks edibles can pose when taken too soon before or after surgery.
How Edibles Work in the Human Body
When you eat edibles, the THC in them goes through your digestive system and is absorbed into your bloodstream through the walls of your intestines. Then, your liver converts THC into a stronger compound with more intense effects than inhaled THC. So, while the effects of edibles are delayed, they tend to be stronger and longer-lasting than the effects of other marijuana products, remaining for up to 12 hours.
Consuming Edibles Before and After Surgery
Due to their high potency, edibles are a popular choice for managing pain and promoting relaxation. However, if you are going to have surgery, it is very important to understand how soon before surgery to stop taking edibles and how soon after you can reintroduce them. Having a thorough understanding of the potential risks and side effects of edibles during and after surgery can help you prevent unwanted complications in your healing journey.
How Soon Before Surgery Should I Stop Taking Edibles?
According to the American College of Surgeons, you should stop using marijuana products of any kind 72 hours before surgery. Edibles have longer-lasting effects than other marijuana products, so it’s better to err on the side of caution to avoid any complications during surgery. Taking edibles too soon before surgery can compromise the effectiveness of the procedure and put you at risk. We recommend you consult your surgeon and anesthesiologist to determine when you need to stop using edibles.
How Soon After Surgery Can I Start Taking Edibles?
You should not take any edibles while you have anesthetic drugs in your system. It can take up to 24 hours for anesthesia to leave your body, so you should not take edibles the day after your surgery. Additionally, edibles can interfere with any painkillers or other post-surgical medication you may be taking, so it’s best to wait until your course of medication is finished before reintroducing edibles. The best way to determine when you can start taking edibles is to consult your surgeon and anesthesiologist for personalized recommendations, as every person and medical situation is different.
Risks of Taking Edibles Too Soon Before and After Surgery
Taking edibles too close to the date of your surgery can result in serious complications, including:
- Interaction with Anesthesia: Anesthesia plays a major role in surgery as it prevents patients from experiencing pain during the procedure. If you consume edibles too soon before your surgery, you may require more anesthetic than normal to prevent pain. Essentially, edibles can keep an anesthetic from doing its job, obligating your anesthesiologist to give you a higher dose of anesthetic, which increases the risk of delayed awakening and low blood pressure during surgery.
- Increased Bleeding: Marijuana may have blood-thinning properties and, therefore, prevent blood clotting during or after surgery. This can negatively impact your ability to heal from surgical incisions.
- Irregular Breathing: Consuming edibles can cause irregular breathing patterns and respiratory depression (when you breathe too slowly or shallowly), leading to oxygen supply issues during surgery. A lack of oxygen during surgery can be very serious and, in some cases, life-threatening.
- Increased Heart Rate: Edibles can cause your blood pressure and heart rate to increase, which could lead to complications during surgery. Having high blood pressure is a risk factor for strokes, heart attacks, and other cardiac events.
Consult a Doctor Before Taking Edibles Pre- or Post-Surgery
Although edibles can be an effective treatment option for pain management, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional on when you should stop taking them pre-surgery and when you can reintroduce them post-surgery. Taking edibles too close to the surgery date will interfere with healing and increase the risk of complications during and after surgery. With proper medical guidance, you can consume edibles at the right time to prioritize your health and recovery.
