Alcohol Use After Weight Loss Surgery

Advice after weight loss surgery with 360 SURGERY in Melbourne

Having bariatric surgery doesn’t mean you can never raise a glass on New Year’s or any other holiday. That being said, overall, alcohol use after bariatric surgery is discouraged, especially initially.

Certainly, active alcohol dependence is a contraindication to bariatric surgery, and a period of abstinence will be required. 

Recently, The World Health Organization published a statement in The Lancet Public Health that when it comes to alcohol consumption, there is no safe amount that does not affect health. 

After bariatric surgery, the risks are higher.

Based on current studies, gastric bypass surgery is associated with:

• Accelerated alcohol absorption (shorter time to reach maximum concentration)
• Higher maximum alcohol concentration and Longer time to eliminate alcohol in both men and women
• Increased risk for development of alcohol dependence postoperatively

The data are less clear regarding altered pharmacokinetics after sleeve gastrectomy, and there is no evidence that alcohol absorption is affected by gastric banding. 

Alcohol is off limits in the first 6-9 months after surgery. It may be consumed on occasion and in limited quantities beyond that after careful discussion with your dietitian. It’s important to speak to your dietitian about how much alcohol is appropriate for you to drink to keep your long-term weight-loss goals on track. Alcohol is very high in calories. Even small amounts of alcohol will affect you quickly. It’s always best to limit alcohol use for your overall health and be mindful to stay well hydrated.

Before you consider drinking after bariatric surgery, there are some steps you should take.

Drinking DO’S And DON’TS

Here are a few great tips from our team in Melbourne to ensure your cocktail is bariatric surgery friendly:

• Do choose low-calorie and sugar-free beverages
• Don’t drink cocktails with juice or simple syrups
• Don’t drink carbonated beverages like beer or spiked seltzers (which can cause reflux and can cause your stomach to stretch)
• Drink plenty of water between drinks to stay well hydrated
• As always, don’t drink and eat at the same time

Parikh M, Johnson JM, Ballem N; American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Clinical Issues Committee. ASMBS position statement on alcohol use before and after bariatric surgery. Surg Obes Relat Dis. 2016 Feb;12(2):225-30.