Avoid Alcohol before Plastic Surgery

Most doctors recommend that patients stop drinking alcohol a full week before undergoing plastic surgery. This is true of any medical procedure, but is especially true before cosmetic surgery. Many people question this practice, as alcohol is so common and such an integral part of their lives. There are very serious medical reasons, however, that dictate why a patient should stop drinking at least a week before plastic surgery.

Lowered Immune System

Alcohol compromises the immune system. If a person is a regular drinker, they operate with a naturally lowered immune system, which may make them more susceptible to infections and other complications with surgery.

The Potential for Infection

During plastic surgery, an incision is made in the body so the surgeon can insert an implant, remove fat, excise excess skin, or a combination of these techniques. No matter which procedure is being performed, an incision is going to be made, which makes the body more vulnerable to infection.

When you have alcohol in your system, the body is less able to fight infections, making it more dangerous to have any residual alcohol still pumping through the body at the time of a surgery. Infection is one of the most common complications of surgery; in most cases, infection can be easily treated with antibiotics and proper care practices. However, if can be more difficult to fight off an infection when the body does not have the resources to fight that infection naturally. Doctors recommend taking at least a week of buffer time between the patient’s last drink and the surgery, as this gives the body time to process all of the alcohol and then begin rebuilding the depressed immune system.

A Reduction in Vital Nutrients

Another danger of drinking alcohol before plastic surgery is that the presence of alcohol in the system saps vital nutrients away from where they are most needed in the body. Instead of devoting energy to healing, the body will still be devoting energy to processing the alcohol. Drinking before (and after, during the healing process) plastic surgery, can significantly impede the healing process and make it infinitely more difficult for the body to repair itself. This, in turn, can result in a greater chance for infection. The longer it takes to heal, the more chance there is that bacteria can find its way into the incisions.

An Increase in Scarring

Properly preparing for plastic surgery is vital for the surgery to occur without a hitch and for the individual to heal quickly and properly once the surgery is over. When the incision heals properly, there is less chance of visible scarring, less chance of infection, and a better overall result.

By avoiding alcohol for at least a week before a surgery, the candidate will lessen the chance of anything going wrong either during the surgery or afterwards. Though most plastic surgery procedures are fairly routine and associated with a low rate of risk, it is always best to take whatever precautions possible to ensure that no extraneous complications occur.

Contact Crawford Plastic Surgery to schedule a consultation.