Reasons to Avoid Alcohol

Here are 5 reasons why you should avoid alcohol after your Bariatric Surgery

1. Alcohol Toxicity

Wiki

2. Alcohol Addiction

Higher risk for cross-addiction. Percentage of patients diagnosed with alcohol use disorder before and after surgery:

Gastrique Before After

3. Weight Regain

Alcohol is high in calories. Study shows that drinking alcohol is linked with an additional 20% weight regain.

300 calories = 2 x 12oz. Beer = 1 cheeseburger = 6 apples

4. Vitamin Deficiency

Alcohol Prevents the body from:

  • Absorbing vitamin B1 (thiamin), B12 (Cobalamin)

  • Utilizing vitamin A, B6 (Pyridoxine), B9 (Folate)

Untreated vitamin deficiencies will lead to medical complications.

5. Medical Complications

Alcohol may cause:

  1. Low blood sugar: causing loss of neuromuscular control & normal cognitive function

  2. Liver disease: such as fatty liver, scaring & thickening of the liver, death of liver tissue, & liver cancer

  3. Gastric ulcers: which may lead to pain, bleeding, or perforation of (hole at) the anastomosis site

References

[1] Heinberg LJ, Ashton K, Coughlin J. Alcohol and bariatric surgery: review and suggested recommendations for assessment and management. Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases. 2012;8:357–63.

[2] Shiau J, Biertho L. Practice Guidelines: Bariatric Surgery: Postoperative Management. [cited 2021 Apr 19]; Available from: https://obesitycanada.ca/guidelines/postop

[3] Buffington CK. Alcohol and the Gastric Bypass Patient. Bariatric Times [Internet]. 2006; Available from: https://bariatrictimes.com/alcohol-and-the-gastric-bypass-patient/

[4] Acevedo MB, Eagon JC, Bartholow BD, Klein S, Bucholz KK, Pepino MY. Sleeve gastrectomy surgery: when 2 alcoholic drinks are converted to 4. Surg Obes Relat Dis. 2018;14:277–83.

[5] Ibrahim N, Alameddine M, Brennan J, Sessine M, Holliday C, Ghaferi AA. New onset alcohol use disorder following bariatric surgery. Surg Endosc. 2019;33:2521–30.

[6] Yanos BR, Saules KK, Schuh LM, Sogg S. Predictors of Lowest Weight and Long-Term Weight Regain Among Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Patients. Obes Surg. 2015;25:1364–70.

[7] Buffington CK. Alcohol Use and Health Risks: Survey Results. Bariatric Times [Internet]. 2007; Available from: https://bariatrictimes.com/alcohol-use-and-health-risks-survey-results/