304PREOPERATIVE ALCOHOL USE AMONG WEIGHT-LOSS SURGERY PATIENTS: A MULTICENTER STUDYAfter weight-loss surgery (WLS), alterations in alcohol metabolism and an increased risk of postoperative problem drinking have been observed. However, many previous studies lacked preoperative alcohol data and employed nonsystematic alcohol measurement methods. In this study, we aimed to analyze alcohol use among WLS patients before surgery. Patients undergoing weight-loss surgery were recruited from two bariatric centers. A total of 1306 obese patients were included in the study, and their alcohol intake and problem drinking behavior were systematically examined. Multivariable models were utilized to explore the association between problem drinking and WLS. The findings revealed that 30% of patients were nondrinkers, 55% drank for social reasons, and 17% drank for reasons other than socializing. Younger adults and men exhibited a higher likelihood of engaging in high-risk drinking behaviors, even after adjustment. Notably, patients pursuing WLS were equally likely to be problem drinkers as they were social drinkers. This large-scale representative study underscores that individuals seeking weight-loss surgery may have a higher propensity for engaging in high-risk alcohol use behaviors. Therefore, thorough assessment of alcohol use is essential in clinical settings and research studies focusing on the relationship between alcohol consumption and WLSSodalagunta@gmail.comResearch1322023 Bariatric surgery; Preoperative; Outcomes; Alcohol abuse, Weight lossDr Jadala Harish Kumar,Dr Sodalagunta Mahesh BabuAssistant Professor, Department of General medicine, Katuri medical college & Hospital, Chinakondrupadu, Guntur, India,Assistant Professor, Department of General medicine, Katuri medical college & Hospital, Chinakondrupadu, Guntur, India