Why You Should Quit Smoking Before Plastic Surgery Article

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Why You Should Quit Smoking Before Plastic Surgery

Everyone knows that smoking is bad for you. The short-term benefits are greatly outweighed by the long-term dangers, which include premature skin aging, “smoker’s voice,” impotence, and lung, throat, and mouth cancer.

Author: Sara Goldstein

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But did you know that smoking can also increase the risk of a poor recovery after plastic surgery?

Skin Flap Necrosis

A study released in 1991 followed more than 800 patients through post-operative healing, and showed that those who were heavy smokers were three times more likely to develop skin flap necrosis than non-smokers.

Skin flap necrosis is the death of the flap of skin used to cover a surgical opening. While some skin loss is expected, excessive flap necrosis can lead to more serious complications that may require further surgery.

Ongoing Studies

An abstract of an ongoing study released this month in the Journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons outlines the dangers of smoking even before surgery. The study has found that stopping smoking as little as four weeks before surgery can be of some benefit to patients, and greater benefit is seen over an extended period of preoperative non-smoking. In short, the sooner you stop smoking, the better chance your surgery has of healing properly.

If you are considering plastic surgery, quitting smoking will not only increase your likelihood of healing thoroughly, it will help prolong the results of the surgery compared to the expected outcome if you continue smoking. While smoking is not the only habit potentially hazardous to healing from plastic surgery, it is one which can substantially increase the chances of needing a follow-up surgery.

If you have found it difficult to stop smoking in the past, consider seeing a physician for a prescription to help you quit smoking. Check with your plastic surgeon for additional recommendations on how and when to quit smoking, and to make sure that any prescriptions to help you stop will not have any negative side effects in conjunction with your desired procedure.

Recommendations for Smokers

If you smoke and are considering plastic surgery, take the following steps to help ensure your procedure has the best possible outcome:

• Stop smoking immediately
• Seek a prescription to help stop smoking from your general practitioner or plastic surgeon
• Talk to your plastic surgeon about how smoking can negatively affect your healing process
• Take action now to enjoy the best possible outcome in the future

About Author

If you are considering plastic surgery in the Kansas City or Lee’s Summit areas of Missouri, please visit the website of Kansas City plastic surgeon Dr. Matt Chhatre at Summit Plastic Surgery & Med Spa, and learn more about plastic surgery safety today.

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