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How Smoking Affects Facial Surgeries?

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Smokers are substantially more vulnerable to complications after facial surgeries because of the toxins present in cigarettes.

Written by

Dr. Saranya. P

Medically reviewed by

Dr. A.k.tiwari

Published At September 12, 2023
Reviewed AtDecember 27, 2023

Introduction:

Smoking can harm one's wellness in a variety of ways. The outcomes of cosmetic or plastic surgery could be ruined, and it could cause severe consequences like infections, tissue death, nipple loss, or wound disintegration. The risk of infection and wound problems directly increases when a person smokes. Reduced blood flow from smoking or using nicotine in any other way can result in sluggish recovery and significant health hazards. Surgery and smoking are a bad combo.

What Are Facial Surgeries?

Facial plastic surgery is a multidisciplinary specialty primarily driven by otolaryngology but also covers oral maxillary surgery, dermatology, ophthalmology, and plastic surgery. Both reconstructive and cosmetic elements are included. Facial cosmetic surgery aims to enhance the patient's facial look. Rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), rhytidectomy (facelift), browlift, genioplasty (chin augmentation), otoplasty (ear relocation), liposuction, and fat transfer are examples of common surgical treatments. The effects of aging, including loose skin, diminished tissue volume around the face and neck, crow's feet at the corners of the eyes, fine lines on the forehead, loss of jawline contour, drooping jowls, and double chin, are often treated surgically.

How Smoking Affects the Outcomes of Facial Surgeries?

Overall, using tobacco or cannabis to get high is a surefire way to have the surgery fail. Let's examine how using nicotine or smoking will affect the outcome of the procedure:

  • Smoking Slows the Healing Process: Everybody will want to recuperate as quickly as possible after the surgery. If one keeps smoking, the skin will not recover as quickly. Smoking reduces the body's ability to absorb vital nutrients like Vitamin C, which is necessary for healing and rehabilitation. It is recommended to stop smoking before surgery if one does not want to spend the rest of the day in bed, unhappy.

  • Greater Infection Risk: Individuals will be more prone to acquiring wounds if they take longer to heal. Smoke can result in staph infections and bacterial contamination that is very tough to get rid of. One could end up with a nasty wound infection accompanied by ugly scarring.

  • Serious Effects: Smokers are likelier to experience deadly side effects such as strokes, blood clots, deep vein thrombosis, and other circulatory problems. If individuals give up smoking for the required time, the danger and problems can be significantly reduced. None of the individuals would likely choose to smoke a few cigarettes over having any of these consequences after surgery.

  • Skin Necrosis or Tissue Death: Smoking causes the blood arteries to tighten, which results in decreased blood flow. Additionally, it impairs skin repair processes. This may result in compromised organ performance and tissue damage that is irreversible.

  • A Greater Need for Medication: Unsurprisingly, nicotine, cannabis, and tobacco suppress the effects of pharmaceuticals, medications, and other substances. Individuals will need to take more painkillers, antibiotics, and other medications to keep their levels in check. It could intensify the issues and slow down recovery.

  • Result in a Lack of Exercise: Smoking can harm the lungs and cause cardiovascular issues that keep anyone from working out. This can result in unhealthful weight changes, which are not advised after surgery.

  • Reduced Resistance to Infection: At any time of the year, especially while individuals heal from surgery, they do not want poor immunity. One will be less able to fight off any bacteria that may come into contact during the procedure or recovery period if the immunity is reduced. Additionally, smoking decreases vitamin absorption, slowing the healing process and making one more susceptible to infections.

  • Early Aging and Poor Fat Survival: Because the skin is weak from smoking, the chances of the fat surviving after facial fat transfer are significantly reduced. Smoking also causes accelerated aging of the skin and, over time, damages it. It adversely affects the outcomes of facelift operations. Nobody wants to invest a lot of money only to have it go to waste.

  • More Pain and Inflammation: Individuals are unlikely to feel any pain or discomfort following most cosmetic surgery treatments (as long as they take all their painkillers as prescribed). However, the chemicals in cigarettes will worsen any existing inflammation, discomfort, and swelling in the body. It also reduces the effectiveness of the prescription, which intensifies the pain.

  • Increases Bruising and Discoloration: Everyone wants to seem as normal as possible after surgery. Bruising follows any surgical procedure regularly. Quitting smoking is crucial if you don't want to look like someone beat you up for weeks after the surgery. Smoking will make the bruises worse and make them last much longer.

What Suggestions Can Smokers Use to Quit or Reduce Smoking While Having Facial Surgery?

Everyone now knows that quitting smoking, vaping, and using nicotine products for at least three to six weeks before having plastic surgery is crucial and necessary. Now is the moment to learn how to do it. Here are some suggestions to assist in quitting smoking:

  • Find Motivation to Act: Individuals want plastic surgery to acquire a specific aesthetic. Put the motivational image on the phone, in the room, and possibly even in the car. Glance at the image whenever one senses the urge to smoke to reaffirm one's decision to undergo the operation.

  • Recognize and Eschew the Smoking 'Triggers': If individuals smoke around a certain set of pals, it might be time to avoid them for a while. Consider keeping gum or candy in the vehicle if one smokes while driving. It is best to avoid such gatherings if witnessing someone else smoke sets off the triggers.

  • Create Interests and Activities: Develop hobbies and other engaging interests so they can help one forget about smoking. It may involve hiking, working in the garden, painting, watching a movie, or simply doing the nails.

  • Keep Out of the Smokers' Area: One musttry to spend one's free time with friends and family who do not smoke in smoke-free settings like malls, movie theaters, and other public places.

  • Substitute Other Substances for Nicotine: Consult the doctor about prescription non-nicotine drugs that can aid in quitting smoking before surgery.

  • Be Devoted to Others: Individuals should inform friends and family about quitting smoking. A little assistance goes a long way when it comes to breaking a daily habit.

  • Get To Know the Disadvantages of Smoking: Further, read about how smoking affects surgery. Knowing the truth will help individuals set priorities and stop doing them for their health.

  • Get More Assistance: Getting professional assistance can do wonders if individuals have tried quitting but failed. Joining a group, seeing a psychologist, or following the doctor's advice can offer the help one needs.

Conclusion:

Experts advise giving up nicotine products for good to achieve the optimum results from facial plastic surgery. Smoking and facial plastic surgery do not mix well, so discuss any concerns with a qualified surgeon. Throughout the process, they will provide detailed directions.

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Dr. A.K.Tiwari
Dr. A.K.Tiwari

plastic surgery-reconstructive and cosmetic surgery

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