Is It Too Soon to Drink Alcohol After Ileostomy Reversal?

Hi guys, I had an ileostomy reversal going on 3 weeks now. I still have the stitches or staples and haven't had my post-op follow-up yet until the 24th of this month. I feel great except for the problem that it's hard to use the restroom. I'm not constipated; I just have the urge to go all the time. Anyway, the question is, will it be a bad idea to drink alcohol? Has anybody done it so soon? Any experiences out there?

Hi Emma,

It's always a bad idea to drink alcohol, but that doesn't seem to stop too many people. For someone only 3 weeks out from surgery, it's especially not a good thing to do. Drinking alcohol tends to screw up the healing process, which is something you're smack dab in the middle of right now. Depending on how much you drink.........and if you're asking this soon after surgery, I'm going to assume you drink quite a bit.........know that it messes up blood clotting, screws up your immune system, will delay tissue repair, and probably dehydrate you as well. But other than that..........no worries.

;O)

My opinion is that it is too soon. Take time to heal. Welcome to the site.

I think it's too soon. It may cause issues for you. You are only 3 weeks out from your surgery, and as you said, you still have stitches and all. You haven't had your post-op appointment. I think you should wait for that appointment and ask your doctor when it's okay to drink.

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Depends on how much you're talking about. One glass of wine or a cocktail probably would be fine. I quit drinking alcohol in 1982 because one drink led to so much more.