How soon after breast augmentation is it safe to have alcoholic beverages?

Hi there. Most people recommend refraining for a week or so after surgery. It is more important if you have been given antibiotics after surgery as there may be an interaction with alcohol that could make them less effective. If not, there is no harm in drinking in moderation soon after surgery.

Hi there and thank you for your question! As other surgeons have recommended, I suggest refraining from alcohol until after you have finished all of your medications.  If you are still uncertain, I suggest asking your surgeon for his/her post op protocol. Best of luck! 

Thank you for your question. I would definitely follow your surgeon's guidelines.  I would wait until the follow after breast augmentation:1)  Your swelling is pretty much gone2)  You are not requiring any pain medication, sedatives or antibiotics3)  At least two weeks have passed and only drink in moderation

Definitely after you have finished your narcotic pain pill regimen as pain pills and alcohol can be extremely dangerous and even deadly. Most physicians want you to refrain early on as your judgement can be impaired and you could slip and fall for instance and hurt yourself and the surgery site causing need for reoperation. Please check with your PS and get their recommendations

Don't drink and heal.  As long as you are taking post-surgical drugs, I would recommend avoiding alcohol.  Your liver could be affected, and if you get intoxicated and accidentally injure yourself, your breast augmentation could get affected.

My general answer on this is 7 days after surgery (1 week) you can have 1 glass of wine or some alcohol in moderation (not binging). First of all, I would NOT recommend consuming any alcohol until you are not taking any pain medication or muscle relaxants at all. Typically by 1 week after the procedure, patients are not requiring any medication, and I think it is safe to have a modest consumption of alcohol IF you are not taking any sedatives (i.e. valium) or pain medication.   I agree that alcohol can "negate" the effects of antibiotics (in general) which in my patients last 5 days after surgery.  I also agree that large quantities of red wine for example can "thin the blood" and cause bleeding; however, this is probably more important to refrain from PRIOR to surgery in my opinion.  I would discuss your concern with your plastic surgeon because he or she knows your medical history the best.  But in general, I believe after a week after breast augmentation, modest alcoholic consumption (1 or 2 beverages) should not be a problem as long as you are not taking any pain medication or muscle relaxants.  I hope this helps!

Alcohol causes two main problems which is why your Board Certified plastic surgeon asked you to stop drinking alcohol about 2-3 weeks before your breast augmentation. 1.  Alcohol has an effect on white blood cells causing them to lose their ability to find bacteria, which then leads to an overgrowth of bacteria and therefore an infection.2.  Alcohol has an effect on the liver which slows the production of blood components called platelets.  If there is a decrease in platelets, one can have excessive intra operative or post operative bleeding.Since post operative bleeding or infection can destroy a great breast augmentation, I request my patients not to resume the intake of alcoholic beverages for at least 3 weeks after surgery. 

Usually I have my patients forgo alcohol intake for the week after their surgery.  Certainly you should not drink alcohol if you are still taking narcotic pain medication.  Discuss this with your plastic surgeon to get their specific instructions.  Best regards,--Erik Hoy, M.D.

My suggestion is to wait until at least 24 hours after the last narcotic medication taken. It will be better to check with your own surgeon. All the best. 

I would recommend calling your surgeon for specific instructions.  I typically ask my patents to refrain from alcohol until they are off all their surgery related medications.  Also,it is always advisable to drink in moderation. Hope that helps.