How long after surgery is it safe to drink alcohol?
                                
                                
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                                    4 min read                                
                            
                                According to a study published by the National Institutes of Health, high-risk alcohol use is a common preventable risk factor for postoperative complications, including infection, admission to intensive care, and longer hospital stays. For many, the question of when it is safe to resume drinking after an operation is a top concern, but the answer is never one-size-fits-all. Several factors, from the type of surgery to medications, play a critical role in determining the appropriate waiting period.