How Smoking Might Affect Your Rhinoplasty Results

Everyone ought to know by now that smoking is one of the most dangerous bad habits that you can pick up, and the list of potential health complications caused by smoking is formidable.

I tell my rhinoplasty patients in Montreal that combining smoking with surgery is asking for trouble. The potential complications are definitely very serious; all of which you should familiarize yourself with so you can find the motivation to quit smoking before your procedure.

A popular plastic surgery enhancement, rhinoplasty can help you to improve the look of your nose, which can give your self-esteem a healthy lift. That said, you don’t want to do anything to compromise the effects of the surgery, so read on for information on how smoking might affect your rhinoplasty goals.

Before Surgery

Any respectable cosmetic surgeon will tell you that a good candidate for rhinoplasty must be in good health physically, have realistic goals in terms of what can be accomplished by the surgery, and refrain from smoking.

If you’re a non-smoker, you’re already in a good position, but if you smoke, your cosmetic surgeon will advise you to refrain from smoking for a period of time leading up to the surgery. This time frame is generally four weeks, but you should follow his or her instructions exactly to maintain proper health.

After Surgery

If you get rhinoplasty, refrain from smoking after the procedure for as long as your cosmetic surgeon instructs you. Again, this is likely to be in the four week timeframe.

Failing to follow this rule will heighten your odds of experiencing side effects. For instance, you could encounter slower or improper recovery, skin loss, extensive scarring, constricted blood vessels, airway obstruction, excessive bleeding, greater infection risk and poor surgery results like nose asymmetry. Many plastic surgeons recommend that patients avoid even being exposed to secondhand smoke for the first two weeks post-surgery.

Your Surgeon Knows Best

In the event that you’re a smoker or regularly come into contact with second-hand smoke, be sure to consult with a board-certified cosmetic surgeon to discuss your rhinoplasty goals. You don’t want to invest in getting rhinoplasty only to see the results compromised become of cigarette smoke. Always consult with a professional beforehand, and follow any and all instructions from your cosmetic surgeon both before and after the surgery.

Rhinoplasty can greatly improve the look of your nose, and it can dramatically change your overall appearance for the better. Just remember that rhinoplasty and smoking don’t mix! For more information, contact our team today.