Smoking is one of the habits you may have heard about avoiding before and after any surgical procedure. A good advice that is difficult to practice for regular smokers. Some patients do not understand how nicotine on plastic surgeries affects and it is necessary to talk about it.
For this reason, we have compiled the main questions on the subject to give you answers and help you become aware of the consequences of this practice for your treatment.
Frequently asked questions about nicotine on plastic surgeries
Nicotine is the addictive substance that comes from tobacco leaves and causes a series of pleasant sensations in the body while it is consumed [7]. It can be smoked, chewed or snorted; and below, we show you how it can affect postoperative recovery in patients:
What happens if you smoke nicotine before or after plastic surgery?
Nicotine in the blood produces two problems that affect rapid recovery after plastic surgery. The first is the reduction of oxygen reaching the tissue (hypoxia), and the second is the reduction of the body’s blood vessels (vasoconstriction) which causes the blood flow to decrease [2].
Together, this causes the recovery period to lengthen and the healing does not have the desired result [1]. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to medical recommendations and do your part to avoid this type of inconvenience.
How long should you quit nicotine smoking for a plastic surgery?
There are no conclusive studies that determine exactly the ideal time to quit before a surgical procedure. Generally, 3 to 6 weeks before surgery and a similar time after surgery are recommended [1].
Although the best thing would be to quit this habit for life, we know that it is not an easy issue for many patients, and that some even confess that they cannot quit 100% before surgery. So it is up to each patient to take on the challenge of avoiding this practice for a surgical intervention.
What about vaping or electronic cigarettes? Could they also sabotage plastic surgery?
Although there are not many studies on the subject, the recommendation to avoid them would be especially focused on those containing nicotine [2]. In addition, this same rule would apply to other products containing this ingredient as a main or secondary component such as chewing gum, patches, snuff, chewing tobacco, and pipes.
How to quit smoking and avoid the effects of nicotine on plastic surgeries?
Smoking is a difficult habit to quit but not impossible to do. In order to start this challenge, many organizations such as the National Cancer Institute (NIH), the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or Nemours Children’s Health recommend starting by analyzing what are the triggering situations that incite you to smoke.
Once identified, it is important to eliminate the connection by avoiding those situations or replacing the actions you were taking with others. It can be difficult to get used to not having a cigarette in your mouth, so it would be good if you had carrot sticks, sugar-free gum, mints, sticks or lollipops on hand to calm this feeling of wanting to smoke [5].
In addition, you should prepare for physical withdrawal symptoms. To do this, increase your physical activity or sport, try meditation or relaxation techniques, reduce caffeine intake, and consult with your physician about the use of medications [6]. Do not give up and always keep in mind the reasons why you are quitting smoking.
In summary
One of the best ways to prepare for and to recover from plastic surgery is to stop smoking. The nicotine present in cigarettes and other derivatives can sabotage postoperative recovery causing it to take longer than expected.
This happens due to the negative effects produced in the body’s blood system. Nicotine causes the size of the blood vessels to be reduced and the amount of oxygen needed for the regeneration of key tissues after surgery is not enough.
For this reason, the medical recommendation will always be to suspend its consumption before and after surgery to avoid inconveniences related to these effects. Although it would be best to stop this habit for the rest of life, it is up to the patient to follow this guideline or not.
If you want to know more about how to prepare for plastic surgery, how to facilitate the postoperative recovery process, or consult about our surgical procedures in Colombia, you can write to us to receive free personalized assistance on any of these topics.
Another post you might want to read: Boom in plastic surgeries after pandemic
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References:
[1] American Society of Plastic Surgeons. 2022. How nicotine sabotages plastic surgery. [online] Available at: <https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/how-nicotine-sabotages-plastic-surgery> [Accessed 17 June 2022].
[2] Antiaging Group Barcelona. 2022. Tabaco y Cirugía Estética – Antiaging Group Barcelona. [online] Available at: <https://www.antiaginggroupbarcelona.com/blog/tabaco-cirugia-estetica/> [Accessed 17 June 2022].
[3] Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. 2022. Take Steps to Quit. [online] Available at: <https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/quit-smoking/guide/steps-to-prepare.html> [Accessed 17 June 2022].
[4] Encyclopedia, M. and surgery, S., 2022. Smoking and surgery: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: <https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000437.htm> [Accessed 17 June 2022].
[5] Kidshealth.org. 2022. How Can I Quit Smoking? (for Teens) – Nemours KidsHealth. [online] Available at: <https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/quit-smoking.html> [Accessed 17 June 2022].
[6] National Cancer Institute. 2022. Tips for Coping with Nicotine Withdrawal and Triggers. [online] Available at: <https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/tobacco/withdrawal-fact-sheet> [Accessed 17 June 2022].
[7] NIDA for Teens. 2022. Mind Matters: The Body’s Response to Nicotine, Tobacco and Vaping | NIDA for Teens. [online] Available at: <https://teens.drugabuse.gov/teachers/mind-matters/nicotine> [Accessed 17 June 2022].