When Can You Drink Alcohol After Surgery?

You've just had major surgery, spent time under general anesthesia, and been monitored in recovery. Now you're home and feeling pretty good. You might be wondering, "How soon after surgery can I drink alcohol?" Or perhaps you're thinking ahead to a future procedure and asking, "How long before surgery should I stop drinking?" These are important questions, so let's explore the facts about alcohol and surgery.

Major vs. Minor Surgeries

Whether you can drink alcohol after surgery depends largely on the type of procedure you had. Minor surgeries affect the body very differently than major ones. For example, a simple dermatology procedure is far less invasive than open heart surgery.

A surgery is typically considered "minor" if it doesn't require general anesthesia, involves only small incisions, and doesn't need opioid pain medications. In general, it might be safe to drink alcohol the day after a minor surgery, but you should always ask your doctor first.

For major surgeries involving general anesthesia, larger incisions, and pain medication, drinking alcohol afterward can be dangerous.

Reasons to Avoid Alcohol After Surgery

There are several important reasons to avoid alcohol during your recovery:

• Increased Swelling: Alcohol widens blood vessels, which can cause swelling around surgical incisions. This can lead to pain and extended recovery time.
• Harmful Medication Interactions: Mixing alcohol with painkillers, sedatives, or antibiotics can cause fainting, headaches, nausea, vomiting, and drowsiness. It may also lead to heart problems or breathing difficulties.
• Increased Infection Risk: Alcohol weakens your immune system, making it harder to fight off infections. Surgical infections can become serious, potentially leading to sepsis or pneumonia.
• Increased Bleeding: Alcohol acts as a blood thinner, preventing proper clotting. This can lead to prolonged bleeding and delayed healing, especially if you're already taking blood-thinning medications.
• Dehydration & Poor Sleep: Alcohol is a diuretic that dehydrates your body, potentially making scars more noticeable and causing itchiness around wounds. It also disrupts REM sleep, which is essential for physical and mental recovery.

When Can You Safely Drink Again?

The timing depends on your specific surgery and how long you need to take prescribed medications. For invasive surgeries, this could mean waiting weeks or even months. Given alcohol's effects on swelling, bleeding, and infection, it's best to wait until you're fully healed and no longer taking any medications. Always get your doctor's approval before drinking alcohol after surgery.

What About Drinking Before Surgery?

If you're wondering when to stop drinking before surgery, most experts recommend avoiding alcohol for at least 48 hours beforehand. Alcohol can overtax your liver (which also processes anesthesia), cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, and affect blood clotting—increasing bleeding risks during surgery.

The Bottom Line

Drinking alcohol after major surgery can be dangerous, leading to complications that slow healing. Alcohol increases swelling, bleeding, and infection risk while interfering with your body's recovery. Mixing alcohol with prescribed medications can be lethal. Always wait for your doctor's approval before drinking after surgery.

Even without surgery, alcohol can affect your physical, mental, and emotional health. With Quitemate, millions of people have learned how to reduce their alcohol consumption and become healthier and happier in the process.