Why Smoking and Facial Plastic Surgery Do Not Mix By dsherris on August 17, 2015

If you are a long-time smoker who is experiencing signs of aging on your face, then you probably already know how your smoking habit has contributed to your appearance. If you are considering facial plastic surgery as a means of correcting these signs of aging, Dr. David A. Sherris would welcome the opportunity to meet with you and explain the many ways in which you might benefit from a facial rejuvenation treatment plan. However, if you haven’t kicked your smoking habit, you should probably consider doing so before undergoing any procedure or consultation.

As Dr. Sherris will explain, smoking and facial plastic surgery put the smoking patient at a greater risk and complications post surgery. During your consultation at his Buffalo plastic surgery practice, Dr. Sherris will evaluate your candidacy for the facial cosmetic procedures in which you are interested. If you are not committed to giving up smoking, at least during the healing phase of your surgery, then you will likely not be considered a good candidate for the procedure. And if you are not committed to giving up smoking in the long term, then there is a good chance that you will be investing good money and considerable time in a procedure that will not deliver optimal results or your results will not be long lasting due to the effects of smoking on the body.

However, if you are willing to kick the habit, or at least try, Dr. Sherris would be pleased to meet with you and even point you toward some resources that could help you in your efforts. After all, he wants you to fulfill your aesthetic goals, not just in the short term, but in the long run as well. He's committed to the well being of all his patients and will help them in every way he can.

Why You Shouldn’t Smoke While Undergoing Facial Plastic Surgery

Aside from the fact that smoking adversely effects your health, it can also wreak havoc on your appearance. Smoking contributes to a prematurely aged appearance, which plastic surgery can help to correct. For instance, plastic surgery can be performed to address:

The cracked vertical lines that form above the lips, known as “smoker’s lines”
Wrinkles and laxity in the facial skin
Discoloration and unevenness of skin tone
Loss of volume and hollow areas in the face, particularly in the cheeks and below the eyes
Jowls and hanging skin on the neck

However, plastic surgery is not a permanent solution to any of these issues. It simply turns back the clock a few years. Unfortunately, if you continue to smoke after undergoing plastic surgery, you risk accelerating the hands of the clock once again and undoing all of the positive results you achieved.

You also risk interfering with your healing after surgery, which could result in serious health complications, including infection and tissue necrosis. You absolutely cannot smoke during your recovery from plastic surgery under any circumstance. If you are unwilling or unable to quit smoking for at least a few weeks after your surgery, then facial plastic surgery is not right for you at this time. When you feel you can commit to the healing process and avoid smoking then you are ready to explore your options to a more rejuvenated and refreshed you.

However, if you are willing and able to quit for a few weeks, why not make it a lifetime? That way, you can help to ensure that you achieve the best, longest-lasting results from your facial plastic surgery and live the highest quality of life you can.