Want a Tummy Tuck or Facelift? Quit Smoking First!

Sunday, October 6th, 2013

The reminder to quit smoking has always been present yet most people still find themselves not heeding such advice. Yet, here at our North Carolina plastic surgery practice, the better and quicker results following plastic surgery has been motivating for most patients.

Why Quit the Stick?

Aside from the well-publicized ill effects of smoking such as stroke, heart disease, and various types of cancer, tobacco smoke has been shown to delay healing and significantly increase your risk of developing complications following surgery.

Specifically, smoking has the following effects after plastic surgery:

• Cigarette smoke constricts the blood vessels which in turn reduces the amount of oxygen to your vital organs. If you continue to smoke post-surgery, there’s a huge chance that the area you’re operated on will receive lesser blood supply resulting to delayed healing.

• With delayed healing, you also put yourself at risk of wound separation, infection, and significant scarring. This also translates to increased hospital stays and increased chances of admission to intensive care units.

• Furthermore, smoking increases your risks of developing complications post-surgery. This study, focusing on the effects of smoking to elective or non-emergency surgeries, found a strong link between smoking and the likelihood of developing blood clots, kidney failure, and pneumonia post-surgery.

Quit Smoking Before Your North Carolina Plastic Surgery

Let us help you quit smoking before your North Carolina plastic surgery! We are located at 209 Hospital Drive, Suite 202, Highlands, NC.  Call us at 828-526-3783 or fill out this contact form to schedule an initial consultation. We look forward to your visit!