DUI Science: Are Gastric Bypass Patients More Susceptible to a DUI?
According to the results of a new study in the February issue of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, the dramatic changes that occur as a result of gastric bypass surgery can cause some people to overindulge when using alcohol thereby increasing their risk for a DUI. As cited at by Science Daily (linked HERE):
Studies have shown that gastric bypass patients often find it difficult adjusting to physical and psychological changes after the procedure. An increased risk of depression, alcoholism, and other substance abuse issues for this patient population led researchers to take a more in-depth look at how these patients metabolize alcohol after the procedure. The results of this unique demonstration of alcohol metabolism changes in gastric bypass patients showed that patients who underwent a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) operation had considerably higher breath alcohol content (BAC) and took significantly more time to return to a sober state after drinking, compared with BAC levels tested prior to having their procedure.
The studies demonstrated that peak BAC after drinking five ounces of alcohol were greatly increased after the operation. “BAC was 0.024 percent at pre-operation and 0.059 percent (p = 0.0003) at three months. Tested again at six months post-operation, the patients’ BAC was 0.088 percent (p = 0.0008) which is more than the legal driving limit of .08 percent.” Id. Obviously, if a person who has had gastric bypass (also called bariatric surgery) decides to drink they should take their body changes into account prior to finding themselves in a position where they drive an automobile.
Understanding the science implicated by bariatric surgery in a DUI case would make for a challenging and interesting case involving forensic toxicology, retrograde extrapolation and other potential scientific defenses. Charles M. Rowland II is Ohio’s only Forensic Sobriety Assessment certified attorney and has experience trying cases involving forensic issues. Ohio DUI attorney Charles M. Rowland II dedicates his practice to defending the accused drunk driver. He has the credentials and the experience to win your case and has made himself Dayton’s choice for DUI defense. Contact Charles Rowland by phone at 937-318-1DUI (937-318-1384), 937-879-9542, or toll-free at 1-888-ROWLAND (888-769-5263). For after-hours help contact our 24/7 DUI HOTLINE at 937-776-2671. For information about Dayton DUI sent directly to your mobile device, text DaytonDUI (one word) to 50500. Follow DaytonDUI on Twitter @DaytonDUI or Get Twitter updates via SMS by texting DaytonDUI to 40404. DaytonDUI is also available on Facebook, www.facebook.com/daytondui. You can also email Charles Rowland at: CharlesRowland@CharlesRowland.com or write to us at 2190 Gateway Dr., Fairborn, Ohio 45324.
Related articles
- Breaking Up With the Breath Test Machine (daytondui.com)
- MADD Wants BAC Lowered To .05% (daytondui.com)
- Intoxilyzer 8000 Finding Opposition Throughout Ohio and Beyond (daytondui.com)
- Why Allowing Junk Science in the Courtroom is Hurting Our System (daytondui.com)
- Beavercreek DUI Attorney (daytondui.com)
- Ohio DUI Law: Another Jurisdiction Dumps the Intoxilyzer 8000 (daytondui.com)
- Diabetes Can Make a Comeback After Weight-Loss Surgery: Study (drugs.com)
- DUI Blood Tests: Whole Blood vs. Serum/Plasma (daytondui.com)
