Smoking & Cosmetic Surgery

Smoking and Cosmetic SurgeryWhile smoking can be a tricky habit to kick, you might want to after reading this if your inquiring any cosmetic surgery. While after surgery complications are unlikely, they can happen. You want to reduce the chances of these as much as possible. Smokers have a slower healing process and can sometimes cause wound complications. The last thing you want after having a cosmetic procedure is for it to heal incorrectly.

Nicotine is the one to blame. Evidence suggests nicotine has been traced to many post-surgical complications. It slows the overall healing process down because of the lack of oxygen in your blood. When healing, your body needs extra rest, oxygen, etc. By smoking you are preventing your body from healing adequately. Some might say they smoked and did not have any problems, but that is not the case for all. You are recommended to quit smoking as soon as you consider having a cosmetic surgery, some surgeons won’t even permit you to have surgery unless you have quit smoking and pass a nicotine urine analysis.

With recent new “Nicotine-free” e-cigarettes, you may be thinking I’m in the safe-zone. The FDA analysis from 2009 found e-cig cartridges contain other harmful components that can limit your healing abilities. Research has been performed and shown e-cigarettes impact skin and soft tissue differently than traditional nicotine.

The American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS) recommends you meet with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and discuss your smoking habits. Never be ashamed to tell your physician you slipped up and had a “smoke”. There number one priority is your well-being and healing process. Preoperative counseling and documentation can be performed with patients who smoke regarding the potential increased risk of adverse reactions and outcomes following a cosmetic procedure.

To speak with a Double Board Certified Plastic Surgeon about your interest in a cosmetic procedure and if you are a potential smoker, schedule an appointment with Dr. Shienbaum at Brandon Plastic Surgery on our website.