Stop smoking now.
Most people are aware that smoking can damage their health in dozens of ways. For surgery patients, one of the most significant problems is that smoking reduces the amount of available oxygen to the cells — and oxygen is vital for wound healing. Smoking constricts small blood vessels, which limits the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the cells.
You should stop smoking for several weeks before your surgery. The use of nicotine gum and patches is no help, as the active chemical — nicotine — can interfere with healing the same way that smoking does.
Smoking and nicotine patches can be especially damaging in surgeries like tummy tucks or facelifts, in which the skin is partially separated from its underlying blood supply and pulled tight under tension. It is mandatory to stop smoking at least two months before these procedures are performed.
You may be tempted to tell your doctor, “Oh, I never smoke,” when you actually have not been able to quit. Lying to your doctor is never a good idea, and in this case it can be a disaster. The effects of smoking on surgical recovery are very serious and deceiving your surgeon will only make things worse.
Kole Plastic Surgery welcomes the thoughtful inquiries he has received from patients. As a skilled Pennsylvania plastic surgeon, he knows that clients considering aesthetic or reconstructive surgery need information and reassurance before they can make an informed, realistic choice about undergoing a medical procedure. Please call 215-315-7655 to get more advice or to obtain a free copy of Dr. Kole’s book, Cosmetic Surgery: The Risks and Rewards.
