Why Alcohol Matters After Surgery
As you move into your postoperative recovery, it is natural to think about how to support your long-term success. Questions about food and drink often come first — and alcohol is one of the most common concerns.
After weight loss surgery, your body processes alcohol differently; understanding these physiological changes is essential for staying safe.
How Alcohol Can Affect You
Drinking too soon after surgery can lead to nausea, vomiting, and significant intolerance. If you start to feel unwell after drinking, stop immediately.
Persistent nausea following alcohol consumption is a clear sign that your body is not tolerating it well, and strictly avoiding it is the best course of action.
Safety Precautions After a Gastric Sleeve
It is strongly advised to avoid alcohol completely during the first 12 months post-surgery. This period is when your weight loss is most rapid and your sensitivity to alcohol is at its peak.
Once this period has passed, please remember that alcohol can cause intoxication much faster than before surgery. Therefore, always drink in the company of someone you trust.
Plan ahead: decide in advance how many drinks you will have, allow plenty of time between each drink, and ensure you never drink on an empty stomach.
Does the Risk of Alcohol Use Disorder Increase?
While a small number of patients may develop alcohol use disorder following a gastric sleeve, most individuals in this group report having had alcohol-related issues prior to surgery.
Some theories suggest a concept of “transfer addiction”—where if overeating was driven by addictive behaviour, that focus may shift to another substance, such as alcohol. However, this does not apply to the majority of patients, and reported cases remain relatively low compared to the total number of weight loss surgery patients.
Should You Drink Alcohol After Surgery?
The decision to consume alcohol after the first postoperative year is a personal one. Moderate and responsible drinking can be safe if approached with caution.
While there is no strict rule forbidding alcohol once healing is complete, it is always wise to consult your surgeon beforehand to ensure it aligns with your individual health situation.
