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How Soon To Stop Drinking Alcohol Before Surgery?

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Posted on Fri, 17 Apr 2015
Question: I am having surgery next week and I like to have three drinks of white wine every nite - will this thin my blood for surgery.
Where is this answer coming from - Dr. and name of country/state/ etc.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sandip Kabra (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Alcohol drinking must not be done before surgery.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to health care magic.

Yes, 3 drinks of wine (moderate drinking) might reduce the viscosity of blood causing thinning of your blood (increases PT-INR test) by reducing platelet aggregation.

In addition,Drinking alcohol before surgery is not a good idea for several other medical reasons.

Alcohol causes dehydration of the body and therefore it may disrupt the body's normal electrolyte levels (like sodium, potassium,etc).

Drinking alcohol the days before a surgery might cause wounds to bleed excessively or make it difficult to stop bleeding during surgery.

Also,alcohol can make our bodies intolerant to pain medications or make it difficult to use anaesthesia to sedate a patient for surgery.

So, alcohol must not be taken when you are about to go pre-planned(elective) surgery.

Consult your surgeon for further advise.
Thanks and regards,
Dr.Sandip Kabra
City: XXXXXXX
State: XXXXXXX
Country: XXXXXXX
Note: In case of any other concern or query related to prevention, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, or the recovery of persons with the any type of addiction or substance use, follow up with our Addiction Medicine Specialist. Click here to book a consultation now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Sandip Kabra

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 3078 Questions

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How Soon To Stop Drinking Alcohol Before Surgery?

Brief Answer: Alcohol drinking must not be done before surgery. Detailed Answer: Hi, Welcome to health care magic. Yes, 3 drinks of wine (moderate drinking) might reduce the viscosity of blood causing thinning of your blood (increases PT-INR test) by reducing platelet aggregation. In addition,Drinking alcohol before surgery is not a good idea for several other medical reasons. Alcohol causes dehydration of the body and therefore it may disrupt the body's normal electrolyte levels (like sodium, potassium,etc). Drinking alcohol the days before a surgery might cause wounds to bleed excessively or make it difficult to stop bleeding during surgery. Also,alcohol can make our bodies intolerant to pain medications or make it difficult to use anaesthesia to sedate a patient for surgery. So, alcohol must not be taken when you are about to go pre-planned(elective) surgery. Consult your surgeon for further advise. Thanks and regards, Dr.Sandip Kabra City: XXXXXXX State: XXXXXXX Country: XXXXXXX