When Can I Drink Alcohol After Breast Reduction?

What official sources do say

Cambridge University Hospitals tells patients: “Do not drink alcohol or take sleeping tablets for the first 24 hours after your operation.” Guy’s and St Thomas’ lists “do not drink alcohol” under “For 24 hours after sedation or general anaesthetic” and explains that reasoning, reflexes, judgement and coordination can be affected even if you feel fine.

What we did not find

Neither page covers breast reduction specifically, and we found no official source that names a number of days or weeks before drinking is safe after this operation. Anything beyond 24 hours depends on your surgeon, your anesthesia and the medicines you were given.

Pain medicine and other prescriptions

NIAAA says mixing alcohol and medicines puts you at risk for dangerous reactions, and that alcohol and medicines can interact harmfully even if not taken at the same time. Its list includes opioid pain medicines (slowed or difficult breathing, increased overdose risk), acetaminophen (liver damage) and sedatives or sleep medicines. NIAAA advises talking to your pharmacist or other health care provider if you are unsure.

What to do

• Read your discharge instructions; they override general advice.
• Ask your surgeon for the date alcohol is allowed, and ask your pharmacist about each medicine you take.
• Do not drive for the first 24 hours, as the hospital pages advise.

This is general information, not medical advice. See our standard drink calculator for how much alcohol is in a drink.