I had a biopsy over the summer and this is how the docs handled my meds: Biopsy scheduled for a Thursday, the previous Saturday before biopsy was my last warfarin, then Sunday was nothing, Monday I started lovenox shots 2xa day, Tuesday and Wed., lovenox shots 2x a day, then Thursday, NO lovenox shot in the morning. Had the biopsy, then that evening I started my warfarin again and continue Lovenox until my INR back to normal. Hope all goes well for you.

One injection of Lovenox stays in your system for 12 hours so the idea is that the last dosage you take is timed so it's out of your system by the time you have your procedure. I've had several endoscopies and colonoscopies and they're usually scheduled in the AM so my last dosage of lovenox is usually taken like at 6pm the night before. That's just an example.

I've had a couple of surgeries while on warfarin and followed the basic procedure the FGtri laid out. Never had an issue. The doctors are usually quite aware of the issues with warfarin and they'll (hopefully) be proactive about taking a little bit longer to restart you should you need a biopsy.

If you've got any questions at all, be sure to ask them of your doctors. You're paying them, after all, so make sure you're comfortable with what's going on and the instructions you're being given.

Hi rmb,

My procedure is at 4:00pm.. So normally I take my Lovonox at 6am ands the other one at 6pm. I tried to see if they had anything early but they didn't. And on top of that I have to fast. When I have the procedure done next Thursday the anti clinic said to take my last dose in the Am. Then once they're done ask the Doctor should I start my Coumadin that evening or the Lovonox.

rmb, when you had your surgeries everything went fine by you being on the lovonox? I'm just nervous about if they have to take a biopsy or not. Just worried about the bleeding. I never had this done before just very nervous!!!!

If it were me, I'd take your 6pm shot the night before, and then skip your 6:00am shot the day of the procedure, but check with the doc on that to see what he thinks.

After the procedure, the majority of the time, they'll tell you to take your lovenox and warfarin that night same night. They may tell you to take it later than 6:00 pm though since it's so soon after the procedure, in case there's some bleeding. With biopsies though, there's usually not a lot of bleeding as it's a very small amount of tissue being removed. I've never been told to hold my warfarin or lovenox after a colonoscopy or endoscopy biopsy. I have been told to hold it when they remove a polyp from my colon however, but that's because there's more bleeding with that and they want it to heal well.

Try not to worry. It's a fairly easy procedure and usually there are no hiccups with it. You'll be ok.

Hello All, well I had my procedure on Thursday and all went well :-) When I first got there I was very nervous but the nurse was really nice and helpful and they made me feel relaxed a bit.. When they have me the medicine I was a little sleepy then some how while the procedure was going on I must have pulled the tube out!! Then I heard the Dr say to the nurse you didn't give her enough medicine after that I woke up and was in the recovery room.. But the procedure it self only took about 10-15mins.. The recovery part coming off the medicine takes time to where off. But thank God that is over with and my Dr. emailed me said everything was normal just a little of inflammation in the stomach. My throat is still sore though.

Thank you all for sharing your experience :-)