Smoking and surgery a bad combo
We all know smoking is bad for the heart and lungs. But did you know it can also cause healing problems after plastic surgery? Procedures that require skin to be shifted — such as tummy tucks or breast lifts — are especially prone to problems when performed on people who smoke. Nowadays, many plastic surgeons refuse to perform them on smokers.
“Nicotine causes the tiny blood vessels in the skin to clamp down or constrict, which reduces blood supply to the skin,” said Dr. Darshan Shah, a plastic surgeon in Bakersfield, California. Without adequate blood supply, the incisions can heal poorly, are prone to infection, bruise more and may form raised, red scars.
If you are interested in having Dr. Gottlieb perform your surgery, he will discuss your cigarette smoking and other medical history information during the consultation. For information on how to quit, visit smokefree.gov.
