How Does Smoking Impact Plastic Surgery?
If you consider yourself a regular smoker, plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Franklyn Elliott believes that awareness of how this could affect your results is essential to comprehensively understanding both the positive aspects and associated risks of cosmetic surgery.
While smoking is most often associated with harming the lungs, oxygen supply is also affected when veins contract after cigarette smoking. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, reduced oxygen supply has the potential to cause improper healing of the skin, affecting the outcome of your surgery and essentially, your overall health. We recommend patients who smoke to cease smoking for a minimum of four to eight weeks prior to your surgery date in order to decrease common risks associated with smoking, including compromised circulation and delayed or improper healing of the skin.
In a recent study published in the Journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, researchers sought out to determine the impact of nicotine use on surgical outcomes. Researchers inquired about 415 patients’ smoking histories thoroughly in prior to their operations, going as far as to take urine samples the day of surgery to assess nicotine levels. Following their surgery procedures, patients were monitored for complications for a minimum of three months. Of the patients, 33.5% claimed to have quit smoking altogether, while 9.4% admitted to being active smokers. For the 362 patients who submitted urine nicotine analysis, 54 showed active smoking. According to the researchers, smokers showed 3.7% higher overall complication rates, 4.3% higher tissue necrosis (cell injury that results in the premature death of cells in living tissue) rates, and were more likely to require reoperation. They concluded that “a methodological approach to the detection and management of patients using tobacco products can help to optimize outcomes.”
During a plastic and reconstructive surgery consultation with Dr. Elliott, he thoroughly evaluates your medical history and current lifestyle habits to determine if a procedure is right for you. By covering the risks associated with a surgical procedure, proper pre- and post-operative care and establishing realistic expectations, Dr. Elliott ensures patients are fully informed on all facets of their procedure. Connect with Dr. Elliott on Facebook, Twitter, and Google + for the latest cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery news and information.