Avoiding alcohol before surgery is important to help your body heal faster and reduce risks. Even small amounts of alcohol can affect how your body responds to surgery and medications. Stopping or cutting back before surgery helps your body heal faster and reduces risks.
If you drink alcohol every day, your body may be dependent. Stopping suddenly can cause dangerous withdrawal symptoms. Always talk to your doctor or health care team before making changes.
Benefits of avoiding alcohol include:
If you drink alcohol, even occasionally, it is important to understand how it can affect your surgery and recovery. This information is shared with all patients who drink any amount of alcohol, so everyone take steps to stay safe and heal well.
You should not drink any alcohol for at least 24 hours before your surgery. However, if you drink alcohol every day or almost every day, stopping suddenly may cause dangerous withdrawal symptoms and you may need a plan to safely reduce or taper alcohol use with medical support. Always talk to your health care team before making changes.
No type of alcohol is safer than another - wine, beer, spirits, cider, all carry the same risks.
If you have ever had these symptoms after stopping alcohol, it is important to tell your health care team. We are not here to judge, we are here to keep you safe. You may need medication in the hospital to stay safe.
If you are ready to reduce or quit alcohol:
There is no shame in asking for help. We bring this up because alcohol can seriously affect your surgery, and we want you to have the safest recovery possible.
Learn more about substance use at Healthlink BC or call *811
Visit Help Starts Here for substance use and addictions support.
Call BC *211 or visit bc.211.ca to find community and social resources close to home.
24-hour BC Alcohol and Drug Information and Referral Service: 1-800-663-1441
Canada's Low Risk Alcohol Guidelines
First Nations Health Authority Mental Health and Substance Use