[craftroom2005@comcast.net]

I want to get cosmetic tatooing done for my eyebrows and have gathered that there is iron pigment in the tatoo dye and that I cannot give blood for a year because of this. So I gather the iron is in the blood stream or thereabouts for this long. So can I safely take Coumadin when I have my knee replacement surgery?

[Robert_325]

Originally Posted by craftroom2005@comcast.net

I want to get cosmetic tatooing done for my eyebrows and have gathered that there is iron pigment in the tatoo dye and that I cannot give blood for a year because of this. So I gather the iron is in the blood stream or thereabouts for this long. So can I safely take Coumadin when I have my knee replacement surgery?

ABSOLUTELY NOT. No orthopedic surgeon on the planet would do a knee replacement surgery on a patient while they are on Coumadin. Only for a life saving surgery would one operate on a patient currently taking Coumadin. Knee surgery would not fit the bill. You should stop taking it entirely prior to your knee surgery. Coumadin is a very serious anti-coagulant. It could cause one major bleeding problems on an operating table.

You are likely taking it for a serious health condition. Your orthopedic surgeon should discuss why you are taking the Coumadin with the doctor prescribing it for you to make sure how long you can safely do without it prior to the surgery, especially if you are taking it for a serious heart condition or for a problem like Antiphospholipid Syndrome which causes blood clots. Ideally you should be off the blood thinners for a good week prior to the surgery but your surgeon will need to make sure that it's safe for you to do without it for that long. Good luck.