It should come as no surprise that smoking is an unhealthy habit. This holds especially true as you embark on your plastic surgery journey. Not affecting just the surgery alone, smoking also hinders and delays proper recovery.
Evidence to the Fact
A 2013 study from the American College of Surgeons or ACS confirmed the adverse postoperative effects that smoking has. Looking at over 600,000 adult surgical patients, over 20% of those were current smokers. Most staggering, researchers found that within one month of surgery, smokers were 21% more likely to have serious complications in comparison to those who never smoked or who had quit at least one year ahead of their surgery. Predictably, non-smokers had the lowest risk of complications.
Researchers concluded their study shows detrimental effects of smoking—and the benefits of discontinuing the use of any type of nicotine in the surgical setting. An interesting take away—researchers found that ceasing the use of nicotine one year before major surgery substantially lowers the risk of surgical complications.
Need Further Evidence
Anesthesia Complications Smoking increases the risk of anesthesia-related complications. According to the European Society of Anesthesiology, smokers needed 33% more anesthesia than non-smokers. As smoking diminishes lung capacity, the anesthesiologist has to work harder to keep a smoker breathing throughout the operation.
Heart Health Like the lungs, smoking compromises the heart. According to the same study smokers are 77% more likely than non-smokers to have a heart attack after surgery.
Wound Healing Nicotine can also decrease blood flow, restricting adequate blood flow from being delivered to healing tissues. Likewise, carbon monoxide robs the body of oxygen, an important component to wound healing.
At Renaissance Plastic Surgery, we want nothing more than to be able to provide you with a safe experience and beautiful results. Many of our patients see their impending cosmetic surgery as a start to a new and improved lifestyle. In that, many find the motivation to quit smoking. Far easier said than done, our team of surgeons cannot emphasize enough the importance of quitting.
We are dedicated to helping you quit! Please schedule a consultation with one of our expert surgeons if you have any questions or concerns.