You’ve done your research and scheduled your plastic surgery date. As you prepare for this important event, you might be tempted to celebrate with a glass of your favourite wine or a cocktail with friends. After all, one drink can’t hurt, right?
But wait! Before you raise that glass, take a moment to explore the sobering truth about alcohol and plastic surgery. While it’s common to think that a single drink won’t make a difference, the reality is that alcohol consumption can impact your surgical outcomes, recovery, and overall health. From increased bleeding and infection risk to slower healing and suboptimal aesthetic outcomes, the consequences of drinking before and after surgery can be far-reaching.
Chester Consultant Plastic Surgeon Anca Breahna will discuss how drinking affects your body’s ability to heal, and provide practical strategies to help you quit alcohol and ensure the best possible results from your plastic surgery journey.
Before we explore alcohol’s impact on plastic surgery, let’s first define what we mean by “a drink.” A standard drink contains 14 grams of pure alcohol, which is equivalent to 350 ml of regular beer (5% alcohol), 150 ml of wine (12% alcohol), or 50 ml of distilled spirits (40% alcohol). Drinking frequency is another important factor to consider. Moderate drinking is defined as up to 1 drink per day for women and up to 2 drinks per day for men, while heavy drinking is consuming 4 or more drinks on any day for men or 3 or more for women.
When you consume alcohol, your body metabolises it primarily in the liver. The liver breaks down alcohol using enzymes, converting it into acetaldehyde, a toxic substance that contributes to the negative effects of drinking. The acetaldehyde is then further broken down into acetate, which is eventually eliminated from the body. However, this process can take time and varies depending on several factors.
Genetics play a significant role in how efficiently your body metabolises alcohol. Some people have genetic variations that lead to slower alcohol breakdown, making them more susceptible to its harmful effects. Additionally, consuming food before or while drinking can slow down alcohol absorption, as it remains in the stomach longer before entering the small intestine. Age also affects alcohol metabolism, with older adults typically processing alcohol more slowly due to age-related changes in body composition and liver function.
Alcohol consumption can affect different aspects of your health, which is particularly important to consider when preparing for plastic surgery. One of the most significant ways alcohol impacts your body is by interfering with nutrient absorption. Alcohol can hinder the absorption of essential vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin B1 (thiamine), vitamin B9 (folate), and zinc. These deficiencies can lead to a range of health problems, including nerve damage, anaemia, and weakened immune function.
Moreover, alcohol can disrupt gut health by altering the balance of bacteria in the digestive tract. This imbalance can lead to increased intestinal permeability, or “leaky gut,” allowing harmful substances like lipopolysaccharides (LPS) to enter the bloodstream. Elevated circulating LPS levels have been linked to inflammation throughout the body, which can contribute to various health issues and complicate surgical recovery.
Alcohol also has a profound impact on brain health. It can exacerbate anxiety, disrupt sleep quality, and increase the risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Chronic heavy drinking can lead to thiamine deficiency, which is essential for proper brain function, and can cause a serious condition called Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, characterised by confusion, memory loss, and uncoordinated movement.
In terms of cancer risk, alcohol consumption has been linked to an increased likelihood of developing several types of cancer, including breast, liver, colorectal, and oesophageal cancers. The risk tends to increase with the amount of alcohol consumed. However, some studies suggest that quitting alcohol can help reduce cancer risk over time.
Cardiovascular health is another area of concern when it comes to alcohol consumption. While some research suggests that moderate drinking may have protective effects against cardiovascular disease, heavy drinking can lead to high blood pressure, heart failure, and stroke. Similarly, while moderate drinking has been associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, heavy drinking can increase the risk of developing this condition.
Alcohol can also contribute to weight gain and an increase in waist circumference. Alcoholic beverages are often high in calories and can lead to overeating by stimulating appetite and reducing impulse control. This excess weight can put additional strain on the body during and after surgery, compromising healing and overall results.
Alcohol consumption can affect your body’s ability to heal and recover from surgical procedures, leading to potential complications and less than desirable results.
One of the primary ways alcohol hinders surgical recovery is by impairing wound healing. Alcohol can constrict blood vessels, reducing blood flow to the surgical site. This decreased blood flow means that the wound may not receive adequate oxygen and nutrients, which are essential for proper healing. As a result, the healing process can be delayed, increasing the risk of infection, poor scarring, and other complications.
Alcohol acts as a blood thinner, increasing the likelihood of excessive bleeding during and after surgery. This can lead to the formation of haematomas (pockets of blood that collect under the skin) or seromas (fluid build-up in the surgical area). These complications not only prolong the recovery process but can also negatively impact the final aesthetic outcome of your procedure.
Alcohol can also weaken your immune system, making you more susceptible to post-operative infections. A compromised immune system may have difficulty fighting off bacteria that can invade the surgical site, leading to severe infections that require antibiotics or even additional surgery to treat.
Furthermore, alcohol can interfere with anaesthesia and pain management. If you consume alcohol regularly, you may require higher doses of anaesthesia during surgery, which can increase the risk of complications. Additionally, alcohol can interact with post-operative pain medications, intensifying their sedative effects and potentially leading to dangerous side effects like respiratory depression.
To minimise these risks and ensure the best possible surgical outcomes, make sure to quit alcohol well before your scheduled procedure. As a general rule, Anca advises patients to abstain from alcohol for at least 2 to 4 weeks prior to surgery. This gives your body time to heal from the effects of alcohol and return to a more optimal state for surgery.
It’s important to note that quitting alcohol should not end immediately after your surgery. To promote optimal healing, it’s best to avoid alcohol for at least 2 to 4 weeks post-surgery, or as directed by Anca. This ensures that your body can focus its energy on the healing process without the added burden of processing alcohol.
In addition to improving surgical outcomes, quitting alcohol before plastic surgery can have other benefits. It can help you establish healthier habits, improve your overall well-being, and give you a sense of control and accomplishment as you prepare for this journey.
If you’re committed to quitting alcohol before your plastic surgery, congratulations! You’ve already taken the first step towards ensuring a good surgical outcomes and improving your health. However, quitting alcohol can be challenging, especially if you’ve been drinking regularly for an extended period. Here are some strategies to help you successfully quit alcohol and prepare for your upcoming procedure:
Set a quit date and inform loved ones
Choose a specific date to quit drinking and mark it on your calendar. Inform your family, friends, and close colleagues about your decision and ask for their support. Having a strong support system can make the quitting process easier and more manageable.
Identify triggers and coping mechanisms
Take some time to reflect on the situations, emotions, or people that typically trigger your desire to drink. Once you’ve identified these triggers, develop a plan for coping with them without alcohol. This might include finding alternative activities, practicing relaxation techniques, or reaching out to a supportive friend.
Seek professional help or support groups
If you’re struggling to quit on your own, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. A therapist or counsellor specialising in addiction can provide valuable guidance and support throughout the quitting process. Additionally, joining a support group can connect you with others who are going through similar challenges and provide a sense of community and accountability.
Focus on overall health improvements
Quitting alcohol is just one aspect of preparing for plastic surgery. Embrace this opportunity to focus on your overall health and well-being. Engage in regular exercise, eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins, and prioritise getting enough sleep. These healthy habits will not only support your body during the quitting process but also contribute to better surgical outcomes and faster recovery.
Find alternative stress-relief methods
Many people turn to alcohol as a way to cope with stress or unwind after a long day. As you quit drinking, it’s essential to find alternative methods for managing stress. This might include practicing yoga or meditation, taking a warm bath, reading a book, or engaging in a hobby you enjoy. Experiment with different techniques to find what works best for you.
Celebrate your progress and milestones
Quitting alcohol is an accomplishment, and it’s important to celebrate your progress along the way. Set small milestones (e.g., one week alcohol-free, one month alcohol-free) and reward yourself for reaching them. This could be treating yourself to a massage, buying a new book, or planning a fun alcohol-free outing with friends.