Surgical intervention is serious manipulation that must be properly prepared for. All recommendations on this topic should be given by a specialist.
Particular attention should be paid to diet and alcohol consumption after the operation. In some cases, even a small dose of ethanol found in alcoholic beverages can cost a person's health or even life.
In order not to harm your own body and contribute to its early recovery, it is necessary to follow the advice in this article.
Are anesthesia and local anesthesia compatible with alcohol?
Everyone should understand that anesthesia and alcohol are incomparable concepts. And there are good reasons for that. First of all, let's find out what types of anesthesia there are - these are local anesthesia and general anesthesia.
Anesthesia is the introduction into the human body of a drug that promotes a temporary loss of tissue sensitivity. The transmission of nerve impulses is blocked, which means that signals do not reach the brain and there is no reverse reaction. Therefore, a person does not feel painful sensations during the operation.
Local anesthesia has a certain duration of action. Usually this is the time allotted for the operation and another 2-3 hours afterwards. A person gradually leaves anesthesia, but alcohol after local anesthesia can cause its effects to stop immediately. And this can cause pain that is difficult to get rid of with the help of medication.
Can I drink alcohol (in general) after the anesthesia? This is not worth doing, as it can lead to far more serious consequences than in the previous case:
- Severe pain where the surgery was performed.
- Tension or weakening of muscle tissue.
- Headache, dizziness.
- Nausea, vomiting and, as a result, dehydration.
- Anaphylactic shock.
- Disturbances in the work of the nervous system.
Alcohol consumption after surgery and possible consequences
Doctors advise against drinking alcohol after surgery for a reason. And it's not about the first day or week after the procedure. The abstinence can last for several weeks or even months. The length of time depends on the complexity of the procedure being performed and the patient's state of health.
Before or at the end of the operation, the attending physician gives the patient specific recommendations. They relate to lifestyle, diet, alcohol consumption, and more. And he does not give them just like that, but to avoid undesirable consequences and complications.
Why is it forbidden to drink alcohol after the operation:
- Use anesthesia that is incompatible with alcohol. Otherwise, health will be dealt a severe blow, which can adversely affect the functioning of systems and vital organs.
- Prescribing antibiotics for rehabilitation after surgery. They are also incompatible with alcohol. In addition, it is worth avoiding strong drinks for at least a week at the end of the intake. Otherwise, their effect can be minimized.
- Poor tissue healing. This can be caused by drinks that cause fermentation processes in the body. It could be beer. Hence, it is better to refuse.
- Weakening of the body's immune system. If you start drinking alcoholic beverages the next day after surgery, you can attack your immune system. The result is latent diseases or an exacerbation of chronic pathologies.
- Blood clotting disorder. A small dose of ethanol released into the body can cause internal bleeding and poor, long-term healing of the affected skin.
In addition, some surgical interventions involve a complete refusal to use ethanol in any form. As it can cause significant damage to the body and affect the quality of life of people in the future.
Experts agree that after surgery, the body needs time to recover. And for this it is necessary to create the appropriate conditions - adhere to proper nutrition and completely refrain from alcohol for at least 30 days.
Estimated time of alcohol consumption after surgery
As mentioned earlier, the time after which alcohol can be consumed depends on the patient's state of health and the complexity of the operation being performed. Therefore, it is difficult to clearly define the period after which it can be used. And the doctor should make recommendations on who to turn to with this question.
How long after the operation can you drink alcoholic beverages (approximate deadlines):
- Alcohol after laparoscopy - it can be completely banned in some cases. This is because after a laparoscopy, people are forced to take certain medications throughout their lives in order to keep the body normal. Almost all of them are intolerant of alcohol. It is necessary to completely abandon alcohol when removing the gallbladder. After a laparoscopy in the gynecological part, after a month and a half, you can afford a small amount of alcohol.
- The timing of alcohol consumption after the laparotomy is the same as in the previous case.
- Alcoholic beverages should be consumed with extreme caution after heart surgery. You should not abuse them, as it can lead to serious problems - heart failure, stroke, heart attack. If there are no complications after the operation, alcohol can be given no earlier than 3-4 weeks after the operation.
- The optimal duration of alcohol abstinence after eye surgery is 3 months. This is enough time for full recovery or pain relief. Why exactly 3 months? The fact is that in most cases the rehabilitation period lasts from 1 to 3 months. At this time, patients are prescribed to restore drops or tablets, and almost all of them are incompatible with alcohol.
- Plastic Surgery - It is recommended to avoid alcoholic beverages for a period of 2 to 4 weeks. If complications arise or if the patient is prescribed a rehabilitation course, this can take up to several months.
- After the pancreas is removed, drinking alcohol is not recommended at all. Especially in the first 2-3 years after the operation.
- Removal of appendicitis - alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited for 3 weeks, as are some foods.
- Surgery to remove the tumor - alcohol is only consumed with the permission of the doctor. To restore the body, drugs can be prescribed that should not be taken along with alcohol.
All of the above conditions are conditional and determined solely by the attending physician. Before taking another dose of alcohol, it is worth remembering the risk to the body. After the operation, it is weakened, it needs to be restored and the recommendations of the specialist are followed. Therefore, do not overload it with ethanol, which will significantly increase the rehabilitation time.