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Alcohol, Smoking & Pregnancy

Our team is here to guide and support you in making the healthiest choices throughout your journey.

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If you are planning to have weight loss surgery, it’s very important to understand how alcohol can affect your health and your results after the operation. Please read this page carefully, particularly if you are dependent on alcohol- difficulty stopping despite noticing negative consequences.

What You Should Know

  • Weight loss surgery can make alcohol problems worse. Your body handles alcohol differently after surgery. You may feel drunk faster, and this can lead to serious problems with alcohol use.
  • Alcohol is a common reason people don’t lose enough weight—or gain it back.
    Alcohol has a lot of calories and no nutrition. It can stop you from reaching your weight goals.
  • Alcohol makes it easier to eat more food. This means you might eat bigger portions, which can stretch your stomach.
  • Alcohol can cause vitamin and mineral deficiency. It stops your body from taking in important nutrients. This can cause tiredness, nerve pain, memory problems, and other serious health issues.
  • Alcohol can upset your stomach and bowels. It can lead to diarrhoea, dehydration, and other gut problems after surgery.
References:
  1. British Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society (BOMSS). “Professional Standards and Guidance.” 2020.
  2. “Alcohol Use Before and After Bariatric Surgery.” American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, 2016.
  3. Suzuki et al. (2012). “Effect of Bariatric Surgery on Alcohol Metabolism and Alcohol Use Disorders.” JAMA Surgery.
  4. Conason et al. (2013). “Substance use following bariatric weight loss surgery.” JAMA Surgery.

 

Alcohol Support Services – Western Sydney

If you’d like help to reduce or stop drinking, your GP is a great first step. They can support you with quit plans, medications, and referrals.

Below are additional local services available in Western Sydney.

Clean Slate Clinic

  • Telehealth-based GP- and nurse-led alcohol detox program (12-month support)
  • No referral needed
  • Phone: 1300 975 890
  • Website: www.cleanslateclinic.com

 

Western Sydney Local Health District – Drug Health Services

  • Public outpatient & inpatient detox, alcohol counselling, support groups
  • Locations: Blacktown, Mt Druitt, Parramatta
  • Phone: (02) 9881 1230
  • Website: www.wslhd.health.nsw.gov.au

 

WentWest AOD Program

  • Support and referrals for alcohol and drug use, with mental health support
  • Services tailored for adults and culturally diverse communities
  • Phone: (02) 8811 7100
  • Website: wentwest.com.au

 

Odyssey House NSW – CDAT (Community Drug Action Teams)

  • Community-based counselling, education, and family support
  • Phone: (02) 9281 5144
  • Website: odysseyhouse.com.au

 

Alcohol & Drug Information Service (ADIS) – NSW

 

Windsor Road Private Clinic

  • Private inpatient mental health care including alcohol dependency
  • 21-bed unit, structured 21-day program
  • Phone: (02) 9686 0808 (business hours) / (02) 9686 0810 (after hours)
  • Website: windsorroadprivateclinic.com.au

 

The Hills Private Hospital

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If you smoke, it’s important to understand how it increases your risks during and after weight loss surgery. Smoking affects your lungs, blood flow, and healing — and can make recovery slower and more dangerous.

Staple Line Leaks

  • Sleeve Gastrectomy: 0.5–4%
  • Gastric Bypass: 1–2%
    Smoking increases the chance of leaks from the stapled areas of your stomach or bowel. This can lead to infection, sepsis, long hospital admission or the need for another operation.

Stomach Ulcers and Bleeding

  • Gastric Bypass: 1–11%
    Ulcers can form at the join between your stomach and intestine. Smoking makes these more likely and more severe, sometimes causing serious bleeding or even perforation.

Blood Clots (DVT and Pulmonary Embolism)

  • All bariatric surgeries: ~1% risk
    Smoking makes your blood more likely to clot. A clot in your leg (DVT) or lungs (PE) can be life-threatening.

Wound Infections

  • Sleeve & Bypass: ~10–15%
    Smokers have more wound infections. This is because smoking lowers oxygen to the tissues and slows down healing.

Lung Infections (Pneumonia)

Smoking damages your lungs and weakens your immune system. After surgery, smokers are at higher risk of pneumonia and other chest infections, especially during recovery.

References
  1. Annals of Gastroenterology, 2017 – Staple line leak rates
  2. Springer Obes Surg, 2024 – Marginal ulcer risks
  3. Surg Endosc, 2022 – Gastric bypass ulcer complications
  4. Am J Surg, 2016 – DVT/PE risk and management
  5. Surg Obes Relat Dis, 2018 – Smoking and wound infection
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If you are planning to have a baby, it’s important to know that getting pregnant too soon after weight loss surgery can cause problems for both you and your baby. Please read this carefully and talk to your healthcare team if you have any questions.

Why You Should Wait at Least 12 Months

  • Babies born too soon after surgery are more likely to be small or born early.
    These babies may need extra care in hospital after birth.
  • Your body may not have enough important nutrients (like iron, folate, and vitamins).
    This can harm your baby’s growth and health during pregnancy.
  • There is a higher chance of miscarriage and needing a cesarean (C-section) delivery.
    Pregnancy during rapid weight loss can put extra stress on your body.
  • You may have surgery-related problems during pregnancy. These include twisted bowels, internal hernias, or other issues that may need emergency surgery.
  • Most experts say to wait 12 to 18 months after surgery before trying to have a baby. This gives your body time to lose weight, adjust, and rebuild nutrients.

What You Should Do

  • Use reliable birth control (not just the pill).
  • Get a blood test before pregnancy to check your iron, folate, and vitamin levels.
  • Keep seeing your bariatric team, GP, and dietitian for support and advice.

If you do fall pregnant please inform your treating team as you will be referred to a specialist dietician and may require more intensive support.

References
  1. Fisher et al. ‘Pregnancy After Bariatric Surgery.’ JAMA Network, 2023.
  2. Pregnancy Outcomes After Bariatric Surgery. Obesity Surgery (Springer), 2019.
  3. BMC Pregnancy & Childbirth. ‘Micronutrient Deficiencies After Bariatric Surgery,’ 2018.
  4. Medical Journal of Australia. ‘Fertility and Pregnancy After Bariatric Surgery,’ 2022.
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