This will not go over well...

I have no two week diet to follow. My Kaiser surgeon wants only a 24 hour clear liquid diet and 3 tbsp milk of magnesia. No restrictions for the week prior at all, except no smoking.

So, on Friday and Saturday before my Monday surgery, there is a huge event I'm attending. Husband has already stocked up on all the vodka for us. I will follow the Sunday diet absolutely, but I'm wondering about my drinking alcohol 48 hours prior??? I've read everything they've sent me and nothing says no booze.

I will ask Friday at my preop appointment for sure, but I'd like to hear if anyone here had some drinks 2 days before their surgery? Google showed me some patients that had a "last celebratory" drink a couple days before, etc...but had anyone here had their surgeon not give that guideline or restriction?

I have an idea of what I might do. Partake on Friday and maybe a bloody mary Saturday morning, then nothing the rest of the day, and of course the Clear liquids Sunday.

Thank you for your input.

Frankly, if you want to be as healthy as possible going into surgery with the least chance of complications, especially due to an enlarged liver, I would forego the booze.

Will it absolutely cause problems? Probably not. But, it may. Why risk it?

I would got for a Virgin Mary and enjoy the party, but that is me.

The purpose of the pre-op diet is to shrink your liver. If you have a low BMI and don't have a fatty liver, it might not be an issue. Just ask your Dr, they know better than anyone on forums.

I will just offer the opinion that not drinking post-op is really easy when you make a change of not drinking pre-op.

Drinking even moderate amounts prior to surgery could slow down recovery and weaken the immune system.

Abstinence starting 3–4 weeks before surgery will significantly reduce the incidence of several serious postoperative complication.

3 - 4 weeks may seem extreme, but I would personally stop at least 2 weeks before and I have a glass of wine or two at least three days a week. While you doctor doesn't recommend a pre-op diet, which I really question, I would do it anyway. You are on this forum, you know what the norm is. You must have to know by now that you should shrink your liver .

Ask yourself, do you want an easier operation/recovery or do you want to risk it? Forty eight hours just isn't enough time and you know when you drink alcohol, you tend to overeat. Most of us are on clear liquids one week pre op.

No alcohol before surgery. Not good when your having anesthesia. Don't take the chance.

No alcohol before surgery. Not good when your having anesthesia. Don't take the chance.

I'd have to echo what pppgobbi said here. My anesthesiologist stressed with me that she didn't want me to have any alcohol in the three weeks following my pre-op consult with her.

is alcohol really that important that you would risk having a possible complication during surgery?

If by a few drinks you mean 2-3 and you're two days before surgery, you're going to be fine. If by a few drinks you mean 10-12, it probably won't kill you, but it isn't the greatest plan.

If you think about it, people who go into emergency surgery for far more serious surgeries generally didn't have the option to stop drinking well in advance of surgery and assuming they survive whatever unexpected thing tried to kill them, the alcohol they consumed before surgery isn't likely going to make it any worse, unless we're talking like binge drinking in which case, all bets are off.

So...a few drinks, as defined by 2-3, a few days before surgery isn't a big deal. A night of keg stands, beer bongs, and tequila shots probably isn't the best plan.

Alcohol is out of your system in 8 to 16 hours max.

She isn't talking about going on a black tar heroine bender before surgery.

Is vodka worth dying for.

Just asking.

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Is vodka worth dying for.

Just asking.

OK, I'll bite ....

How will vodka two days pre-op kill her?

Vodka is a clear liquid .

If you have no pre surgery guidelines, then you have no pre surgery guidelines. If your surgeon wanted you to abstain from certain things then he would've told you. I had a strict 2 week diet and avoidance list I had to follow. Every surgeon is different, follow your (non)guidelines. Enjoy the night.

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Edited July 5, 201610 yr by cindyw41

Please do NOT drink. You know you shouldn't and are only cheating yourself. 48 hours beforehand is WAY too late for a last hoorah! If you don't have any guidelines then please google BRigham Gastric Sleeve guidelines and follow theirs.

Is vodka worth dying for.

Just asking.

OK, I'll bite ....

How will vodka two days pre-op kill her?

I can't wait for the answer to this. The answer that defies all biology...

Hi, wanted to let you know I appreciated everyone's thoughts on this. I had my preop appointment this morning and asked about partaking in a celebratory drink or 3 this weekend. She said no problem whatsoever, just NOT on SUNDAY. I asked a few times just to be sure. Lol

So, I'm here, at the weekend event. Had a cocktail after we unpacked the trailer and set everything up. Tried to have another and just wasn't "feeling it."

Will I drink tomorrow? Most likely not. I'm too excited for Monday anyway. But it was interesting to get the all-clear at my preop, and everyone's answers here were also very interesting!!! Thank you!

I went on a cruise for 2 weeks preop. I didn't have to follow a strict preop diet apart from the day before. I drank until 2 days before. I was absolutely fine. There is no evidence to suggest alcohol affects anaesthetic or recovery (apart from 24 hours preop). You'll be fine. Don't worry. I am a preop nurse and we ask patients not to drink for 24 hours preop only. Good luck.

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