Windsor Tummy Tuck
Apart from its obvious effects on our lungs, smoking has a significant
negative effect on wound healing. Tobacco smoke contains over
3,800 identified substances. We are concerned with two of these.
One is nicotine and the other is carbon monoxide.
Nicotine is a drug which makes our blood vessels constrict. This is not
a good idea if we need the maximum amount of blood supplying the
skin to keep it healthy and allow for optimal wound healing. Forget
about nicotine patches. Nicotine is the actual problem.
Carbon monoxide leads to decreased oxygen in blood.
Both components increase the tendency of platelets (a cellular
component of your blood which causes a clot to form) to adhere to
each other and in so doing can increase our chances of forming an
abnormal blood clot.
Smoking has been shown in multiple studies to cause delayed wound
healing and an increase in post operative lung complications. Smokers
form both weaker and wider scars than non-smokers.
The dilemma is that many patients who use tobacco also want
elective cosmetic procedures.
On the basis of clinical experience and multiple studies, we
recommend at least 6 weeks of abstinence from smoking before and
at least 6 weeks after elective cosmetic surgery. This number is
derived from studies which show that the incidence of infection of
incisional wounds was significantly higher in smokers compared with
never-smokers and that this period abstinence from smoking
significantly reduces this infection rate.
Some surgeons advocate using a period of 2 weeks, but some studies
have indicated that the risk of complications involving the lungs
actually rises when patients stop or reduce smoking closer to surgery
because of increased mucus production.
In our opinion, the risk factors for wound healing, especially for
long time smokers, are still higher, but this risk is notably
decreased with smoking cessation. We are here to improve your
body image, but your safety is paramount.
Smoking
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Abdominoplasty for you. Fit into your clothes. Feel beautiful again.