Alcohol can react with medication, causing either a bad reaction or lessening the effectiveness of the drugs you're given just before, during, and immediately following surgery. This could cause a problem if you need pain relief, sedatives, or antibiotics prior to or following your procedure.
Mixing alcohol with any medication you are prescribed can also have serious consequences. We advise patients to wait for at least two weeks after their operation to ensure the optimal outcome. For more advice on how to prepare for surgery or boost your recovery process, call us on 0207 432 8727.
It will delay healing
Alcohol will thin your blood which may affect your healing. This is because it can cause prolonged bleeding or an infection. It can also affect your immune system making it harder to fight off a possible infection.
Alcohol is also an anesthesiologist's nightmare! We ask you not to have any alcohol after your surgery for the same reason: thin blood may make it difficult for your body to heal, which prolongs the recovery stage. Alcohol disrupts how your body absorbs anesthesia, and as a result, may make some sedatives ineffective.
ALCOHOL SLOWS HEALING
Excessive alcohol consumption is detrimental to wound healing because it significantly interferes with both the inflammatory phase and proliferation phase of the process. A study found that binge alcohol exposure impaired the production of a protein that recruits macrophages to the wound site.
Using hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol to clean an injury can actually harm the tissue and delay healing. The best way to clean a minor wound is with cool running water and mild soap. Rinse the wound for at least five minutes to remove dirt, debris, and bacteria.
Alcohol slows down the repair process of exercise-induced muscle damage by inhibiting the functions of hormones that usually aid this process (such as testosterone). For athletes with a soft tissue injury, it's even worse, as alcohol opens up the blood vessels and encourages swelling at the injury site.
Drinking large amounts of alcohol reduces the amount of white blood cells called macrophages that chew up the bacteria and debris. Proteins that aid in closing a wound are also fewer in number with the more alcohol consumed.
How long does anesthesia stay in your system? Anesthetic drugs can stay in your system for up to 24 hours. If you've had sedation or regional or general anesthesia, you shouldn't return to work or drive until the drugs have left your body.
Side effects of alcohol use and surgery
This means you could require more or less for the medication to work. Increased surgical recovery time requiring longer hospital stay. Delayed wound healing and surgical site infections. Increase in bleeding episodes requiring transfusion post-operatively.
Increased Bleeding
Unfortunately, alcohol acts as a blood thinner, meaning your body won't be able to form clots as well. This can lead to uncontrolled bleeding during surgery, which can greatly increase your risk during the operation.
After surgery, it is important you do not start smoking again, even if you only quit 12 hours before surgery. Allow your body time to recover and heal properly. Smoking makes recovery harder by stressing your heart, affecting your blood pressure, reducing oxygen in your blood and body tissues, and damaging your lungs.
"There [may be] a dose-response relationship, where the more you drink, the worse the recovery," Milton told Wine Spectator via email. "[Some] studies do show that alcohol does affect muscle strength and markers of muscle damage at 36 hours post exercise, indicating muscle recovery is slowed."
Red wine may have health benefits because of its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and lipid-regulating effects. Red wine, which people make from crushed dark grapes, is a relatively rich source of resveratrol, a natural antioxidant in the skin of grapes. Antioxidants reduce oxidative stress in the body.
The risk of “bleeds” or bleeding strokes also increases as a result of heavy alcohol use.
Avoid sugary drinks like soda, alcohol, coffee, and tea. These can all lead to dehydration. Eat nutrient-rich foods: You need nutrients to help your body heal after surgery. Focus on fruits, vegetables, lean protein, whole grains, and low-fat dairy.
Furthermore, constipation can result in straining – an act that might stress or reopen your incision wounds. Generally, avoid high-fat meats, eggs, dairy products, and sugary sweets. According to the National Institute of Aging (NIA), these foods are low in fiber and may lead to constipation.
Addiction treatment and long-term sobriety can make a positive impact on all aspects of your health, relationships and experiences. You're working toward a better future without drugs or alcohol, one where you can live a deeper, more satisfying life.
Wounds heal faster if they are kept warm. Try to be quick when changing dressings. Exposing a wound to the open air can drop its temperature and may slow healing for a few hours. Don't use antiseptic creams, washes or sprays on a chronic wound.
A validated tool and efficient screening procedure is required to detect excessive drinking before elective surgery. Patients often present to the PAC too close to the time of surgery for any change in drinking to reverse alcohol's effects.