There are more than 4000 harmful substances in cigarette smoke. Many of these have been associated with cancer. In addition to cancer, smoking also negatively affects wound healing. It does this both by depriving the hailstones of oxygen and by its extreme constricting effect on the skin vessels. In a patient who smokes, the risk of having problems with postoperative wound healing and tissue necrosis (tissue death due to malnutrition) increases at least 4 times compared to a non-smoker. Similarly, it is known that anesthesia-related risks increase 6 times in the smoker group compared to non-smokers.
Smoking is quite common, especially for aesthetic surgeries in which we tighten and stretch the tissues, such as abdominoplasty, face lift, breast reduction and lift, arm and thigh lift. It poses a significant problem.
In order to prevent plastic surgery performed to gain a better shape from turning into a disaster, it is necessary to quit smoking at least 3 weeks before the surgery.
The reason for this period is that nicotine, one of the harmful substances in cigarettes and the most important, leaves the receptor to which it binds within at least three weeks. Nicotine is one of the most powerful vasoconstrictors known. When the tension force applied in surgery is added to this, nutrition and healing problems in the tissues in the wound area inevitably arise.
The number of cigarettes used or the way of smoking is not important here. So, unfortunately, the statements "I'm just a lip smoker" or "I drink 3-5 drinks a day" will not save you from this bad situation. Because nicotine is a very active ingredient and is rapidly absorbed through the lip and oral mucosa, even if you do not inhale it. Moreover, its need in the body is so low that all our nicotine receptors are filled with a single breath of smoke. Unfortunately, it takes at least 3 weeks for these receptors to return to normal.
By the way, another thing that should not be forgotten is that the nicotine gum or patch used instead of cigarettes also causes this situation.
A problem-free aesthetics. For surgery, it is recommended that you stay away from smoking for 3 weeks before the surgery and 3 weeks after the surgery.
The importance of the 3 weeks after the surgery is that the most important phases of wound healing in our body are completed during this period.
If you do not comply with your doctor's warnings on this matter or if you do not tell the truth to your doctor about this matter, you will cause the biggest harm to yourself. Please do not forget this.
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