Excess alcohol is sometimes one of the contributing factors leading to obesity. It can also cause damage to the liver, heart and brain as well as increasing reflux and inflammation in the body.
Effects of Bariatric Surgery & Alcohol
Following bariatric surgery, alcohol intake is usually significantly reduced, as patients try to establish a healthier diet and lifestyle. Alcohol is energy dense and provides no useful nutrients, in fact alcohol strips the body of important B vitamins.
Alcohol has a much greater effect on the brain and central nervous system following bariatric surgery. This is due to several reasons:
- Firstly, there is a reduction in the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase, which breaks down alcohol in the stomach.
- Secondly, because the stomach capacity is greatly reduced, alcohol is emptied from the stomach and absorbed into the small intestine much more rapidly.
- Lastly, bariatric patients tend not to be able to eat and drink at the same time, and when there is no food in the stomach, alcohol is absorbed at an even faster rate.
After Bariatric Surgery
After bariatric surgery, alcohol is not cleared by the liver as quickly as normal – this causes blood glucose levels to drop which can lead to light headedness, loss of balance, slurred speech, poor vision and confusion.
Patients who have had bariatric surgery need to be aware that they could easily be over the legal limit for driving (0.05) after just one standard drink! It is therefore wise to avoid all alcohol if you are intending to drive, especially in the first 6 months following surgery when food intake is very restricted and weight is reducing rapidly.
Gaseous drinks such as beer, cider, champagne may not be tolerated following bariatric surgery as the bubbles can exacerbate reflux and cause pain. For the same reason, fizzy drinks are strongly discouraged.
Alcohol is high in calories and excess intake can lead to weight regain or inability to reach goal weight. A bottle of wine has over 500 calories – this is equivalent to eating five slices of bread and butter!
Be sensible with your alcohol intake and be aware of the increased absorption rate when you are having a night out with friends!
Mercy Bariatrics Perth
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