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“When I was younger I made it a rule never to take a strong drink before lunch. Now it is my rule never to do so before breakfast.”
The above quote from Winston Churchill is his typically witty style. But if we were to ask a doctor to make an addition, it might be to never consume alcohol before surgery.
But is that the truth? In this article, we look at how alcohol can affect your operation, the benefits of cutting down, and how to prepare for surgery.
What happens if you drink alcohol prior to surgery?
While we like the odd tipple as much as the next healthcare provider, there’s no escaping the fact that consuming alcohol can affect the success rate of your recovery from surgical procedures.
We look closely at some of the consequences below.
Increased risk of bleeding and blood loss
Alcohol acts as a blood thinner. This means that if you’ve consumed alcohol before your operation, your blot may take longer to clot. Excessive bleeding during surgery can lead to post-surgery complications.
Delayed healing
This is related to an earlier point about bleeding and blood loss. As alcohol thins the blood, slower clotting may cause patients with alcohol in their system to need extra time for initial healing. This may come in the form of a longer stay in hospital or longer-term effects during recovery.
Weakened immune system
Regular and excessive alcohol consumption can lead to a weakened immune system. This, in turn, can lead to an increased risk of developing post-op infections. It’s possible that alcohol consumption before surgery can actually lead to appointment cancellations or postponements until the patient is deemed eligible.
Reaction to medicines
Patients already taking certain medication on a regular basis should absolutely refrain from consuming alcohol before surgery. The combination of alcohol and medication can cause nausea, drowsiness, fainting, heart problems, and difficulties breathing.1 All factors that increase the risk of surgical complications.
Heart and lung problems
Alcohol is a depressant. This means the effect it has on the brain and body is to slow reactions, speech, and movement. But that’s not all. The British Heart Foundation highlights a very clear link between regular heavy alcohol consumption and high blood pressure. This can lead to cardiovascular disease, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Increased risk of infection and complications
As mentioned previously, consuming alcohol before surgery also raises the risk of post-op complications such as infection. If you’re a heavy drinker, it’s important to stop drinking as soon as you can in the run-up to your surgery. Not only will this reduce the risk of post-op infection of the wound site or the pancreas, it will also give your liver the chance to start healing.
Does alcohol interfere with anaesthesia?
Alcohol disrupts the effect of anaesthesia on the body. This means that if alcohol has been consumed within 48 hours of surgery, general anaesthetic and other sedatives may not be as effective.
As you’ll likely appreciate, this can cause serious issues for surgeons and general anaesthetists.
Will my surgery go ahead if I drink alcohol?
It’s very difficult to say definitively. If you turn up to hospital and are clearly three sheets to the wind, your surgery will be cancelled. Patients that have been drinking alcohol within 48 hours of their surgery greatly increase the risk of complications occurring during and after the operation.
When to stop drinking alcohol before surgery
The answer depends on who you ask. While some sources advise patients to stop alcohol consumption weeks before their surgery,2 others say no alcohol consumption at least 48 hours beforehand.3
If you’re a heavy drinker, it might be a good idea to stop as far in advance as possible. This will give time for the immune system, the liver, and general health to improve.
The benefits of not drinking before surgery
But enough from us about the pitfalls of pre-surgery alcohol consumption. It’s time for a few words from the expert on the matter.
In summary, the benefits of cutting out alcohol include:
- improved overall health
- weight loss
- reduced blood pressure level
- decreased risk of cardiovascular disease
- more money in your pocket!
How to quit drinking alcohol pre-surgery
If you’re thinking of cutting out the pints completely, the good news is there’s more support now than ever before. From step-by-step plans to support groups, resources like the NHS feature a raft of useful information and content. And it’s all aimed at helping you avoid alcohol for good.
Tips for cutting down your alcohol intake
From dedicated apps to specialised plans, there really hasn’t been a better time to give up alcohol. The NHS site has some great support services, but if you’re looking for some quick guidance, you may find the following useful:
- switch to 0% alcohol alternatives
- create a strong support network
- set a date you want to have quit by
- identify the triggers for wanting a drink
- introduce alcohol-free days to start.
Helpful resources and support
https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/drink-less/
https://www.changegrowlive.org/advice-info/alcohol-drugs/alcohol-advice-stopping-drinking-reducing
Pre-habilitation for surgery guide
Sources and references
2 The effects of alcohol on anaesthesia
3 Planning for Surgery – alcohol advice
Acknowledgements
James is an anaesthetic specialist practitioner trained in the Royal Air Force and later through Birmingham City University and Peninsula School of Medicine and Dentistry. He specialises in anaesthesia and takes a special interest in resuscitation and teaching as well as surgical pre-habilitation.
