The role of alcohol abstinence in post-operative care
Everyone’s aware of the health risks that come with drinking an excessive amount of alcohol, but did you know that it can hinder your chances of successfully recovering from surgery? Drinking alcohol has a direct effect on several of your organs, including the liver, heart, pancreas and immune system. Anything that can harm your organs can lead to inefficient recovery post-surgery, which is why they are best avoided.
Your liver and immune system have a huge impact on your body’s ability to heal, so it’s crucial to ensure that the health of them remains optimised. This is particularly important when it comes to surgery, as your body needs every bit of help it can to get back into a healthy state within a good timeframe. Drinking alcohol is linked to several post-surgery complications, such as infections, wound healing complications and excessive bleeding.
This article will explore why alcohol abstinence in post-operative care is essential in helping your body recover properly. So, whether you’ve got a surgery on the horizon or you simply want to learn more, make sure to continue reading.
What are the potential side effects of post-op alcohol drinking?
Drinking alcohol can affect surgery recovery, which is why many people consider cutting down on alcohol use or stopping completely before the procedure. This will reduce the risk of developing post-operative complications. Let’s explore some of the potential side effects:
- Anaesthesia Interference: Require higher dosages during surgery.
- Medication Interference: Cause increases or decreases in medication effectiveness.
- Recovery Time Increase: Longer hospital stays and more time to return to normal.
- Wound Healing Delays: Surgical site infections can lead to wounds not healing quickly.
- Bleeding Episodes Increase: Lead to you needing blood transfusions after surgery.
- Infection Risk Increase: There is a chance of developing pneumonia, UTIs and sepsis.
Letting your healthcare team know how much you drink daily can help them better plan your post-operative care, so you have less chance of suffering any side effects.
How long before surgery should I stop drinking alcohol?
There is an increased risk of post-surgery complications for people who regularly drink too much alcohol. In this instance, people should look to stop alcohol intake for at least a few weeks before surgery to get it completely out of their system and leave them in the best position for optimal healing. This is particularly the case for facial surgery, as procedures like piezo rhinoplasty require you to stop drinking one month before and after it.
While low level alcohol consumption is unlikely to increase your risk of post-op complications, the chances are still there, especially the more you drink. Studies have shown that drinking two to three drinks a day can have a significant effect on your immune system’s ability to heal you after a procedure.
Going sober altogether will help to boost your immune system, so it is highly recommended if you want optimal post-surgery recovery.
Tips for cutting down on alcohol
It can be difficult to cut down on alcohol from your life, even if you don’t have any particular issue with overconsumption. One of the best ways to cut down on alcohol before surgery is by considering your current drinking routines and how you can tweak them. While we recommend going sober, it can be tricky to suddenly stop so reducing alcohol should be the aim leading up to surgery. Let’s take a look at some tips for this:
Non-alcoholic replacements
Those who are craving the taste of alcohol can seek non-alcoholic alternatives that won’t have any adverse effect on their health and won’t hinder their post-op recovery. Mocktails and 0% alcohol can be great choices for this and can be the perfect solution for becoming alcohol abstinent before and after surgery.
Find new hobbies
Gaining new hobbies can be great for your day-to-day life, as they can improve mental health, reduce isolation and relieve stress. It can also be a great way of becoming alcohol abstinent before and after surgery, as it can work as a distraction so you feel less of an urge to have any alcohol. The hobbies you choose can range from exercise to gaming to reading, as all of these provide great distractions from drinking.
Have a sober friend
Having someone else in your life who doesn’t drink can be great for you, especially when it involves doing non-drinking activities. This can help get your mind off of needing a drink, which is perfect when you are looking for alcohol abstinence for post-op care. You can also join help groups with people who are sober to help you with this.
Reduce glass sizes
If you are drinking any form of alcohol, you can minimise your consumption of it by having smaller glasses. Having the odd glass of wine with your evening meals now and again won’t harm you, but you should reduce glass size overtime with the end goal of alcohol abstinence.
Keep alcohol out of home
Having easy access to alcohol is one of the main reasons why people feel the need to drink it, so it can be a very effective tactic to get rid of any alcohol in your home and keep it out. If your cupboards are filled with different alcohol options, you are more inclined to drink them which can significantly impact your ability to heal after a procedure.
Final thoughts
By understanding the intricate relationship between alcohol consumption and surgical recovery, you're taking a proactive step towards optimal health outcomes. Every decision you make, especially those related to your well-being, will matter when it comes to ensuring that your body makes a full recovery after surgery. Always make sure to prioritise your health, consult with your healthcare provider and ensure that you remain alcohol abstinent for successful recovery. Your future self will thank you.
By Lucy Couser
Lucy is a freelance writer who finished her degree in creative writing in Manchester. She loves to talk and share her experiences with alcohol, top tips and healthier fun alternatives for the sober community. You can find her substack here!
