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    #1

    Alcohol prior to surgery?

    Hello all. It has been a long time since I last posted. If you remember my story, I was having a hard time dealing with my moms battle with ovarian cancer. Long story short, the last few months of her illness and her ultimate death proved too stressful for me and I ended up back drinking daily and rather heavily most days.

    I was wondering if any of you have experience with quitting alcohol prior to surgery. I have scheduled a laproscopic hysterectomy a little over 2 weeks from today. My doctor never mentioned anything regarding alcohol use but I have researched and WOW the two don't mix! I think I can abstain for the next few weeks and during my recovery but I am wondering if 2 weeks al free will be enough. I have a preop next week where they will run blood tests and do an EKG etc and I will be sure to ask the doc and anesthesiologist about my drinking habit. I was just wondering if any of you have quit drinking before a surgical procedure and what your experience was. I am 41 and in what I would call excellent health other than the excessive drinking.

    Any info would really be appreciated.
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    #2
    Alcohol prior to surgery?

    Hello Jelly, I can't answer your question re surgery but just wanted to extend my sympathy for your mum's death. I lost mine to cancer 2 1/2 years ago and miss her so much. Look after you :l
    You were born with wings, why prefer to crawl through life? Rumi

    :lilangel:

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      #3
      Alcohol prior to surgery?

      Hi jellybaby,

      So sorry for your loss!
      I still miss my Mom, she passed 25 years ago.

      About your surgery - I am a retired nurse but can tell you it's best to be completely honest with the anesthesiologist during your preop workup. In addition to possible adjustments needed for your anesthesia, AL can prolong bleeding time. If you stop now you should be in pretty good shape for your surgery. But please be safe & give the docs the info they need

      Wishing you the best!
      Lav
      AF since 03/26/09
      NF since 05/19/09
      Success comes one day at a time :thumbs:

      Comment

        #4
        Alcohol prior to surgery?

        Hi Jelly,

        Sorry to hear about the loss of your mother...and it IS a big loss.

        I had a cyst removed from my cheek two years ago, and the dermatologist's office required that I abstain from alcohol for 48 hours before and after. Obviously, only local anesthesia was involved.

        Longer would probably be better for a more complicated procedure...I am inclined to agree with Lav, that stopping now you should be in good shape. Laparascopic procedures are so much better than the previous methods...

        Good luck! FF
        . "It is only with the heart that one can see clearly; that which is essential, is invisible to the eye.". Antoine de Saint-Exupery

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          #5
          Alcohol prior to surgery?

          Hi I have had the same procedure and was told no alcohol one week before surgery. This is a major operation and alcohol is a blood thinner, so blood loss is more likely if you drink. Also alcohol makes everything a lot slower to heal so best to give up for the month it takes to heal from a hysterectomy. You probably will not feel like drinking afterwards anyway - I didn't. Good luck. Cashy
          "Life is what happens to you when you're busy making other plans" - John Lennon

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            #6
            Alcohol prior to surgery?

            Thanks everyone for the info and condolences. It was exactly this time last year that my mom spiralled downhill and ultimately passed October 25. so this has been a hard time for me.

            Hey Cash... If you dont mind me asking how did the recovery go for you? Doc says I will go home the same day and be 80% myself within a week. Obviously it will take 4-6 weeks to fully recover but I am hoping what she is telling me is true. Like I mentioned I am in very good health in general.

            Thanks again everyone. You guys are always such great support.

            Comment

              #7
              Alcohol prior to surgery?

              I was 2 days in hospital and then by a week I was feeling much better but did not do any lifting etc for about a month. My gyno said not to even lift arms above head to hang out washing for about a month. I was in pretty good health md didn't have much pain at all.
              Sorry took so long to respond nd hope all goes well. Cashy xxx
              "Life is what happens to you when you're busy making other plans" - John Lennon

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                #8
                Alcohol prior to surgery?

                Thanks Cash! I have my preop tomorrow. Have (surprisingly!) been able to abstain and am feeling good so I think alcohol won't be an issue for surgery. I sure am hoping to go home the same day as the operation. My doc says that 95% of her patients go home the same day and are basically back to normal in week (no heavy lifting or excessive exercise for 4) so I am very hopeful. Glad to hear your recovery went smoothly.

                Thanks again!
                JBB

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                  #9
                  Alcohol prior to surgery?

                  Best wishes on your surgery & recovery JBB
                  AF since 03/26/09
                  NF since 05/19/09
                  Success comes one day at a time :thumbs:

                  Comment

                    #10
                    Alcohol prior to surgery?

                    If she says a day then that's probably right! In Oz we have a different health system and they like to see how you go for a few days and I needed that so was fine with me!
                    I hope all goes smoothly, I'm sure it will. Don't be surprised to have pain in chest and shoulders it's due to the gas they pump up your tummy with so they can see everything clearly - look after yourself and well done with the al - keep us posted. Cashy xxx
                    "Life is what happens to you when you're busy making other plans" - John Lennon

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                      #11
                      Alcohol prior to surgery?

                      Thanks for the well wishes! I had my preop today and everything looks like a go for Tuesday. Thanks for the warning about the gas issues Cashy... I hear the shoulder pain can be pretty intense. I have my heating pad and gas-x already prepared ;-) I'll let you all know how it goes when I make it home.

                      On a side note... Isn't it strange that when you are faced with an absolute regarding alcohol (like pregnancy or health related issues that aren't just the vague "it is bad for your liver", etc.) it is much easier to tow the line? I know it isn't true for everyone, but for me this has always been the case.

                      Much love to all,
                      JBB

                      Comment

                        #12
                        Alcohol prior to surgery?

                        Will be thinking of you fellow soldier! And YES I'm just the same. Even when my shrink tells me to give up for a while to get my meds balanced iI pretty well just did it - ditto for pregnancy and surgery etc.
                        Cashy xxx
                        "Life is what happens to you when you're busy making other plans" - John Lennon

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