Blood alcohol concentrations rise rapidly and dramatically after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

Within minutes after consumption of a beverage containing a modest amount of alcohol, post-RYGB patients achieve disproportionately high blood alcohol concentrations. All 5 participants in this study reached blood alcohol concentrations>.08%, the legal driving limit in the United States, within 10 minutes after a dose of alcohol. Clinicians are encouraged to educate patients about the marked changes in alcohol pharmacokinetics that are they are likely to experience after RYGB and to guide patients in making modifications to alcohol intake after surgery accordingly.