A surgical operation is a complex of effects on human tissues, organs, performed by a doctor for the diagnosis, treatment or correction of bodily functions. Depending on the urgency, they are: emergency (in case of urgent need in the name of saving the patient's life), urgent (requiring intervention within 48 hours), planned. By nature: radical, palliative, symptomatic.
The purpose of surgical intervention of the first two types is the complete or partial elimination of the cause of the pathological process, and the third is to alleviate the patient's condition.
Can i drink alcohol 10 days after the operation? Should I abstain from drinking alcohol before surgery? How does alcohol affect anesthesia? Let's consider in more detail.
The danger of alcohol in the postoperative period
Ethyl alcohol weakens the human immune system, which has a negative impact on the effectiveness of the surgeon's intervention. In addition, most operations, including laparoscopy, are performed under anesthesia, which, in combination with alcoholic beverages, increases the load on the heart and blood vessels, which can lead to death.
Often, to prevent the onset of inflammation and infection in the tissues injured by a scalpel, patients are prescribed (for prophylactic purposes) antibiotic therapy, which excludes the possibility of drinking alcohol. Beer is also on the list of prohibited drinks, as it causes fermentation, which slows the healing of wounds and tissues.
After surgical interventions, the immune status decreases, which can provoke an exacerbation of chronic diseases, cause the appearance of hidden pathologies.
Alcohol after surgery stops blood clotting, resulting in an increased risk of uncontrolled internal bleeding which is life-threatening.
Remember, regardless of how much alcohol the patient takes after anesthesia, the processes of depression of the central nervous system are always triggered, which can lead to confusion, respiratory failure and hallucinations.
Alcohol thins the walls of blood vessels, destroys liver cells, irritates the mucous membranes of the digestive tract, overloads the heart.
How much can you drink?
The minimum period limiting the consumption of ethyl drinks is 30 days after the surgical treatment.
Alcohol withdrawal before surgery
As in the case after surgical treatment and before it, alcohol is prohibited. A feature of the preoperative period is the passage of the necessary laboratory diagnostics, including the study of the patient's urine, ECG and blood. In the case of the consumption of ethyl cocktails, the results become unreliable, which distorts the real clinical picture, can lead to fatal errors in the diagnosis and decision of surgical intervention.
In addition, severe severe operations on the myocardium, veins are performed exclusively under anesthesia. If a patient has severely abused alcohol a few days before the introduction of anesthesia, the effect of the drug can become unpredictable. For example, a standard dose of anesthetic is not enough, as a result a person may recover before the end of the operation, while others, on the contrary, take too much, an overdose occurs, which leads to inhibition of the respiratory or cardiovascular system .
To avoid the development of the above complications, you should refrain from drinking alcohol for at least a week before surgical treatment.
Alcohol and anesthesia
Anesthesia is the loss of sensitivity of the tissues for a short period of time under the influence of anesthetic agents. Such drugs block the transmission of nerve impulses, due to which the signals do not reach the brain, which means that the body's response to irritation in the form of pain is also absent.
Local anesthesia lasts another 2. 5 hours after the operation. However, when drinking alcohol, the anesthetic effect of the drug disappears instantly, an acute attack of pain develops, which cannot be relieved even with painkillers.
The situation is much more complicated with general anesthesia used for abdominal surgery, when the body needs to be protected from shock and pain.
After recovery from anesthesia, the following complications can occur:
- heachache;
- nausea;
- weakness or tension in the muscles;
- discomfort in the throat;
- clouding of consciousness;
- drop in blood pressure;
- hallucinogenic delirium.
Why can't you drink alcohol after anesthesia?
Such a combination can lead to the occurrence of critical conditions such as anaphylactic shock, nervous disorders. The period of withdrawal of anesthetic drugs depends on the type of drug, its dose and the patient's health. As a rule, the main part leaves the body within a day after the operation, and the residue within 2-3 days.
Rehabilitation after surgery
Any surgical intervention leads to a weakening of the protective functions of the body. The rehabilitation period for people who abuse alcohol in everyday life will be more difficult than for patients who adhere to a healthy lifestyle, as the healing of "alcoholic" tissues takes longer.
Recommendations after surgery:
- After abdominal surgery, you shouldn't eat for the first 2-3 days. You can get up in one day, gradually increasing the load, walking more. This will accelerate the body's return to its usual environment. Alcohol should not be drunk for another month.
- After coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG), eliminate bad habits, regularly measure blood pressure, count pulse, determine the presence of edema, do not create a load on the heart (do not go to the sauna, do not plan long walks, give up to intense physical exertion). CABG does not cure people with coronary artery disease, it only serves as symptomatic therapy. The bypassed patient is required to follow a lifelong diet that limits the intake of salt, animal fats, alcohol and carbohydrates. At the same time, the emphasis in nutrition is on proteins, plant foods.
- After surgery on the shoulder and hip joint, which involves the complete replacement of the diseased cartilage and bones with artificial material, the patient is given intravenous solutions, antibiotics to maintain salt and water balance, and pain relievers. In order to avoid a negative reaction of the body, alcoholic beverages are prohibited. After the endoprosthesis, physiotherapy exercises are prescribed, which excludes overloading of the operated leg and arm.
- After the removal of the gallbladder, it is forbidden to drink alcohol for the rest of life.
- After eye surgery, cataract removal, alcohol should not be drunk for at least 3 months. During the rehabilitation period, patients are prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that are incompatible with alcohol.
- After spinal surgery, the patient is prescribed painkillers, NSAIDs, which, when interacting with ethanol, increase the risk of developing gastrointestinal bleeding and ulcers. In addition, alcohol reduces the effect of drugs that improve microcirculation, overloads the liver, which leads to disruption of metabolic processes in the body, which is fraught with dystrophic and degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs.
After varicocele surgery, a man should lie down for the first day. On the second day, you can start moving. Walking increases blood flow and prevents constipation. To relieve pain, a cold compress is applied to the sore spot for 15 minutes.
Production
Surgical intervention on any tissue and organ always leads to the appearance of postoperative edema. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited during this period. The fact is that alcohol accelerates blood circulation, which can increase swelling, worsen the condition of cool spots. In addition, ethyl alcohol gives a negative reaction with anesthetic, analgesic and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. As a result, the body can behave in an unusual way.
The period of abstinence from alcohol consumption before surgery is at least 10 days, and after - from 1 to 6 months. At the same time, in some cases (when the gallbladder is removed), a lifetime ban on drinking strong drinks is imposed.