When Can I Start Drinking Alcohol After Tummy Tuck
Congratulations! You’ve just had a tummy tuck, which means you’re probably feeling pretty good about yourself and your body. Your doctor has told you that it’s okay to drink, but maybe you want to know more about what’s allowed and what’s not. Here are the basics:
You can have any kind of fluid that doesn’t contain alcohol. This includes water, juice, and soda (though sports drinks and energy drinks should be avoided because they contain caffeine).
After a stomach tuck, when can I start drinking alcohol?
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| Alcohol Consumption |
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| Tummy Tuck Overview |
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| Who Should Avoid Tummy Tuck |
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| Types of Tummy Tuck Surgeries |
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| Risks of Tummy Tuck |
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| Preparation for Tummy Tuck |
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| Post-Surgery Care |
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Alcohol Effects on the Body Before Surgery
Drinking alcohol affects the body in various ways. You will probably be aware of the health risks of drinking too much alcohol. But, it can negatively impact your healing after surgery. Drinking too much alcohol regularly can affect your liver, kidneys, heart, immune system, and pancreas. All these organs are essential during your plastic surgery recovery.
Alcohol has been linked to several complications after surgery, including:
- Excessive bleeding
- Wound healing issues
- Heart and lung problems
- Infections
It doesn’t matter whether you’re having breast augmentation or a tummy tuck; alcohol impacts all types of surgeries and procedures. Research shows that people who have more than a couple of drinks a day are more likely to experience complications after surgery than light drinkers or those who don’t drink at all.
Why Can’t You Drink Alcohol After Surgery?
Drinking alcohol after surgery is not advised. Alcohol can alter surgery problems, outcomes, and recovery. Alcohol after surgery has these consequences.
Late Healing
Healing is crucial for recovery. Drinking alcohol after surgery slows healing and thins blood. Alcohol might cause post-surgery wound healing difficulties.
Thinner Blood
Infections and persistent bleeding can result from blood thinning. Alcohol also weakens the immune system.
Alcohol thins blood. Alcohol might cause excessive bleeding before and after surgery. Bruising and swelling may develop, making healing longer and more painful. Before surgery, your doctor will usually advise you to cease using blood-thinning medications, including alcohol.
Increase Swelling Risk
Drinking dilates blood vessels, causing oedema. Your post-surgical guidelines decrease oedema throughout recovery. Increased oedema can cause post-surgical problems, impacting recovery and outcome.
Harmful Drug-Alcohol Mix
After cosmetic surgery, you may be given painkillers or antibiotics. Avoid mixing alcohol and medication, which can cause nausea, headaches, and drowsiness. It can also cause heart or respiratory problems.
Dehydration
Alcohol might be refreshing, but it dehydrates. Hydration is crucial to healing. Alcohol can dehydrate and slow healing.
Alcohol can affect scarring like dehydration. It may prolong recovery and exacerbate surgery site itching. Skin elasticity can be affected by dryness, which is crucial for treatments like breast enlargement and liposuction.
Tiredness
Drinking after surgery can exhaust you. Energy is needed to start recuperation and heal. It’s crucial to sleep well every night. Drinking alcohol after surgery can impair your sleep, making you less energised the next day.
Alcohol may seem to numb pain, but it actually lengthens healing. Alcohol may help you fall asleep faster, but it disrupts your sleep. Get a quick instruction on how to sleep comfortably after plastic surgery to start your recovery.
Anaesthesia Effects
General anaesthesia induces deep sleep. You may wake up confused after general anaesthesia plastic surgery. You need someone to drive you home following the procedure, and you must avoid drinking for 24 hours after leaving the hospital or while taking pain medication.
Gaining Weight After a Tummy Tuck
Alcohol consumption after surgery is not recommended due to its potential negative effects on recovery and post-surgery outcomes. Alcohol can slow healing, thin blood, and cause post-surgery wound healing difficulties. It can also cause infections and persistent bleeding, weakening the immune system. Alcohol can also increase swelling risk, which can impact recovery and outcomes.
Alcohol-medication mixing is not recommended after cosmetic surgery, as it can cause nausea, headaches, drowsiness, heart or respiratory problems. Alcohol can also dehydrate, which is crucial for healing and can prolong recovery and exacerbate scarring. Dryness can affect skin elasticity, which is essential for treatments like breast enlargement and liposuction.
Drinking after surgery can exhaust the body, making it less energized the next day. Alcohol may seem to numb pain but actually lengthens healing. It is essential to receive proper sleep instruction after plastic surgery to start recovery.
General anaesthesia induces deep sleep, but it may cause confusion and requires someone to drive you home after the procedure. It is advised to avoid drinking for 24 hours after leaving the hospital or while taking pain medication.
