We all know that there are many, many reasons to stop smoking: the health complications are extensive and the effect on you appearance alone are hugely significant. Smoking also adds a significantly higher risk of complications when it comes to surgery. As a rule I don’t operate on smokers. I try to work with patients that do smoke to set parameters for their safety or to help them to stop smoking completely (if they are interested). If you are a chronic smoker then during your consultation I will explain the risks of smoking with regard to plastic surgery and I’ll ask you to stop smoking one month prior to surgery and one month afterward. It might sound like a big challenge, but I’m asking you to cease smoking for a period of one month.
Even if you follow these instructions to the letter and quit smoking one month before and one month after surgery you are still at risk for many of the complications typical for smokers, naturally it’s always preferable that patients stop smoking completely. One of the many reasons smoking is problematic in regards to surgery is that chemicals found in cigarettes cause blood to clot less easily which can be extremely problematic, . If you are a smoker any issues or questions you may have will be discussed in detail at your consultation so that you can be fully educated and prepared before scheduling surgery.
To learn more about procedures offered by Dr McCluksey and the Plastic Surgery Institute of Atlanta visit https://psiatlanta.com/ and http://sexualaesthetics.com/