Alcohol and bariatric surgery

After bariatric surgery, you need to be cautious with the use of alcohol because the breakdown and absorption of alcohol in the body is not the same as it was before surgery.  Also, the risk of developing alcoholism increases for those who have undergone bariatric surgery. 

When we consume alcohol, the breakdown of alcohol begins in the stomach, but after bariatric surgery, and especially after gastric bypass where the stomach is only the size of a walnut, the alcohol goes almost directly into the small intestine. This means that alcohol enters the bloodstream and the body's organ systems very quickly, including the brain and liver.  When you drink alcohol after bariatric surgery, you can expect to feel the effects of alcohol much earlier than usual and experience that the effects last longer. These effects can create certain dangers, both in terms of getting alcohol poisoning and the traditional effects of alcohol, such as reduced judgment, poor concentration, and impulsivity. Aside from the fact that drinks containing alcohol are high in calories, we are more likely to eat more calories when we consume alcohol.  

There is an increased likelihood that individuals who have undergone bariatric surgery will develop alcoholism. It is not fully clear what causes this, but it is believed that changes in the digestive tract and digestive hormones interacting with the brain's reward system are key influencers. It is often said that we trade one addiction for another, that alcoholism following bariatric surgery is a consequence of us transferring food addiction to alcohol. However, this assertion is not considered to be well-founded as it is thought more likely that the bariatric surgery itself and physiological changes following it promote alcohol addiction. That is to say, individuals who have not had a food addiction are just as likely to become addicted to alcohol after surgery as those who believe they have struggled with food addiction. 

Studies also show that alcoholism seems to manifest a few years after bariatric surgery.  

According to oral sources from SÁÁ, there has been an observed increase in the incidence of alcoholism in Iceland among individuals who have undergone bariatric surgeries, especially when 2 – 3 years have passed since the surgery.  

If you have had issues with alcohol before surgery, there is an increased likelihood that the problem will worsen after surgery. Alcoholism is a serious disease that can cause severe health damage, harm  additionally, and can be a contraindication for bariatric surgery.  

You can always contact SÁÁ: 

https://www.saa.is/

What is alcoholism: 

https://www.visindavefur.is/svar.php?id=5569

How does alcohol affect the brain and body?

https://www.visindavefur.is/svar.php?id=2280

Sources: 

Ivezaj, V., Benoit, S.C., Davis, J. et al. Changes in Alcohol Use after Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery: Predictors and Mechanisms. Curr Psychiatry Rep 21, 85 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-019-1070-8 

Kwok, A., Dordevic, A., Paton, G., Page, M., & Truby, H. (2019). Effect of alcohol consumption on food energy intake: A systematic review and meta-analysis. British Journal of Nutrition, 121(5), 481-495. doi:10.1017/S0007114518003677