Can I Drink Alcohol After Breast Augmentation

This article will explain how alcohol can affect your procedure and what precautions you should take after getting breast implants. Alcohol can cause blood pressure to rise and may increase your risk of bleeding during the procedure. These factors may lead to complications with your surgery or anesthesia, which could result in further damage or discomfort during recovery time. In this article, we will discuss what to drink after breast augmentation surgery, among others.

The short answer is: you should wait at least two weeks after breast augmentation before drinking alcohol. This guideline ensures your body has adequate time to heal and reduces the risk of complications.

Can I Drink Alcohol After Breast Augmentation

Following your plastic surgeon’s post-operative instructions is important for ensuring a safe and smooth recovery. If you ever have any questions about your recovery, it’s best to reach out to your surgeon, so they can offer you advice on how to navigate the healing period. One question that some patients are hesitant to ask is when they can resume alcohol consumption after cosmetic surgery. This is perfectly normal to wonder, as alcoholic drinks can often feel like an important part of social events or a person’s lifestyle.

Whether you undergo facelift surgery, breast augmentation, liposuction, or another procedure, Dr. Zemmel generally advises patients to avoid alcohol for at least one to two weeks after surgery — and only after you have finished taking your pain medications. This is because mixing alcohol with painkillers can be a dangerous combination, putting you at risk of damaging your wounds and over-exerting yourself. In addition, alcohol can make your post-operative swelling and bleeding last longer, as well as cause any discomfort you’re experiencing to be worse.

Once you’re cleared to safely drink alcohol again, it’s best to do so in moderation. By limiting how much you’re drinking as your body recovers, you’re aiding the healing process and can potentially improve your results in the process. This goes along with eating a nutritious diet and staying well hydrated to set yourself up for a smooth recovery.

When it comes to alcohol after cosmetic surgery, you should adhere to your surgeon’s advice, and when you do resume consumption, don’t overdo it. While one to two weeks is an appropriate time frame for many patients, you should talk with your surgeon to determine when it is safe for you to drink alcohol again after your specific surgery.

Alcohol Interactions with Medication

A primary concern when combining alcohol and pain medicine is that the duo tends to worsen bleeding. Other side effects of mixing alcohol and painkillers include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Ulcers
• Drowsiness
• Difficulty breathing
• Low blood pressure

It’s never a good idea to have alcohol while taking pain medicine or other prescriptions, such as antibiotics. For a safe a comfortable breast augmentation recovery, avoid drinking until you are off of your medication.

How Drinking Hampers Healing

After surgery, you want to do everything you can to support your body’s natural healing process. That’s why patients are generally advised to eat nutritious foods, engage in gentle activities, and avoid smoking. Another thing that you can do to help your body recover after a procedure such as breast augmentation: avoid alcohol.

Alcohol consumption is known to inhibit healing. It contributes to dehydration, impacts the immune system, and increases the risk of bleeding. Vasodilation and increased swelling are other concerns. Drinking can also impair your judgment, causing you to fall or bump your surgical site during this delicate time.

Alcohol Won’t Help You Sleep Better

Rest is a crucial part of recovering from breast augmentation surgery. Some people consider drinking after surgery because they think it will help them relax and get a good night’s sleep.

Alcohol may reduce the time it takes you to fall asleep. However, it disrupts the quality of your sleep throughout the night. The more you drink before bed, the more your restorative sleep will be affected.

Most patients experience little difficulty sleeping comfortably after breast augmentation. Try lying on your back, adding extra pillows as needed.

Receive Individualized Post-Operative Instructions

Whether you’re considering a social drink to celebrate your surgery or something to make your downtime more comfortable, alcohol is not appropriate during breast augmentation recovery. Talk to Dr. Basner about how long you should abstain from drinking, as well as other post-operative instructions.

What To Drink After Breast Augmentation Surgery

Add Foods Rich in Vitamin C

Your body needs this vitamin for quick healing after a breast augmentation surgery. The vitamin contains cross-linking collagen that helps promote cell structure and facilitate the healing process. 

Foods rich in vitamin C include citrus, kiwi, broccoli, and bell peppers.

Consume Foods That Reduce Inflammation

Your breasts will develop inflammation after your breast augmentation. However, you can counter it with foods that support the body’s immune system. 

Mushrooms, such as shiitake and reishi, reduce inflammatory proteins in the body. You can also eat pineapple and papaya to minimize swelling and inflammation after surgery.

Drink Lots of Water

Surgery can dehydrate you, and dehydration leads to a prolonged healing process. Ensure that you drink a lot of water to ensure that your body remains hydrated.

What should I do to prepare for breast augmentation recovery

Knowing what to expect ahead of time, including how your sleeping position may need to change, can help to make your breast augmentation recovery experience as seamless and comfortable as possible. Prior to your surgery, use these helpful tips for preparing for a breast implant recovery:

• Schedule time off of work
• Coordinate help with children and household chores
• Prepare healthy foods and snacks
• Adjust your medications as needed
• Stop smoking
• Take recommended supplements as directed
• Pick up your prescriptions
• Prepare a comfortable resting area
• Prepare a proper sleeping area
• Be sure to have plenty of comfortable, loose-fitting clothing handy (shirts that button or close in the front are recommended)