A significant drop in your triglyceride level to near normal should occur within three to six weeks if you strictly follow your diet. Your doctor may also advise you to cut down on fats and cholesterol and to lower weight if your cholesterol is also high. After your triglyceride level goes back to normal, you may be able to ease up a bit and have one sweet and up to two cocktails per week. You will have to follow a modified sugar and alcohol diet for the rest of your life however. An elevated triglyceride level is considered to significantly increase heart disease even though you don't find triglycerides plugging up your arteries.
Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States.