Smoking and alcohol use in gastric bypass patients

• Gastric bypass patients completed surveys on substance use.
• Alcohol use decreased after weight-loss surgery.
• Smoking rates did not significantly change after weight-loss surgery.
• Older age decreased the odds of alcohol use and smoking after weight-loss surgery.
• Alcohol use and smoking were not associated with post-operative weight loss.

Bariatric surgery may increase the risk of substance use. The purpose of this study was to prospectively assess smoking and alcohol use before and after bariatric surgery, identify characteristics associated with alcohol use and smoking, and examine substance use and weight loss. Participants (N = 155, mean = 50.1 ± 11.3 y and 45.7 ± 7.0 kg/m2) were Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) patients that completed surveys on substance use preoperatively and postoperatively. Alcohol use decreased significantly from the preoperative (72.3%) to the postoperative (63.2%) period. As preoperative alcohol quantity rose, the odds of consuming any alcohol postoperatively increased six-fold. Higher BMI increased the odds of high alcohol consumption. Older age decreased the odds of alcohol use and smoking. Smoking status did not differ pre- (19.4%) to post- (14.8%) surgery. Alcohol use and smoking were not associated with weight loss. After weight-loss surgery, alcohol use declined but smoking rates did not significantly change. Younger patients were more likely to use alcohol and smoke postoperatively. Patients with a higher BMI or a history of substance use may be more likely to use alcohol postoperatively.