Alcohol After a Tummy Tuck?

Question

I had a tummy tuck about 9 days ago and it wasn't in my plans to go out and have couple mixed drinks. I am very concerned that this will interfere with my healing process and i still have my drains. I feel very very guilty after spending thousands of dollars for the surgery of my dreams, did I really mess up? In need of advise! ;(

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Two alcoholic drinks 9 days after tummy tuck likely will have no effect on wound healing or final results.

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

Hopefully, you weren't taking any pain medications at the same time, as this could be dangerous. However, if you weren't, a couple of drinks at this time in your recovery is okay. Please refrain from drinking too much and too often, however, until you've recovered more.

Aldo Guerra, MD · Answer

Thanks for sharing. It's not likely that alcohol will hurt your healing after tummy tuck. It could interact with some medications so check with your doctor. Best wishes - Dr. Aldo.

Shahriar Mabourakh, MD, FACS · Answer

You should not consider alcohol while taking pain medications. If you are finished with you medications, then one may be 2 glasses of wine should be fine at this time. To be sure check with your surgeon.

Richard Baxter, MD · Answer

Thre are two concerns with alcohol consumption after surgery: the first is potential interaction with pain medications, the other is an anticoagulant effect that can possibly contribute to bleeding. However, at 9 days you should be tapering off pain meds, and the bleeding issue should not be a significant concern.

Naveen Setty, MD · Answer

Drinking a couple of mixed drinks a few days after surgery should not affect your healing process. You should be careful if you are still taking narcotic pain medications. Otherwise, don't feel like you made too big of a mistake.

Jourdan Gottlieb, MD · Answer

It won't affect your wound healing. However, if you are still taking narcotic pain medicine, this would not be safe. Discuss with your surgeon. Best wishes.

Norman Bakshandeh Day, MD, FACS · Answer

It is never a good idea to mix alcohol and narcotics or the anti inflammatory medications. If you are good enough to write this you must be OK

Mark Schwartz, MD · Answer

Having a few mixed drinks 9 days after your tummy tuck will probably not alter the results. However, it is not advisable in the immediate postoperative period. Alcohol can act as a vasodilator and it can interact with pain medications you may be taking. After surgical procedures, it is best to do things "by the book" to avoid potential problems. Good luck, no need for guilt!

Stephen M. Lazarus, MD · Answer

Hi jayjay,

	
		Always follow your PS's post-op instructions to ensure a safe recovery.
	
		Never drink alcohol while taking prescription pain medication.
	
		Your few mixed drinks will not interfere with the healing process underway.


	Be sure and check with your PS for his instructions on resuming alcohol.

	Thanks for your question and good luck!

Alcohol After a Tummy Tuck?

Answers (13)