As a physician I am well aware of the detrimental effect that habitual smoking has on the health of any individual, and when the subject comes up I’m always quick to remind my patients of how much they have to gain by giving up the habit.

However, when I have a patient planning cosmetic surgery, I bring up the subject for a very specific and particular purpose. I strongly advise my patients who smoke to quit smoking for 6 to 8 weeks prior to scheduled surgery and throughout the post-operative recovery period.

Many studies have clearly shown that non smokers or those who quit temporarily have a lower risk of complications from anesthesia and during the operation itself and also far fewer post-operative complications.

Smoking inhibits the flow of blood to the heart, a vital process during surgery when the body is under stress. Smoking is also counter productive when it comes to post-surgical healing.It reduces the blood flow to the cell, inhibits the ability of hemoglobin to carry oxygen, and it reduces the amount of oxygen released to the cells, all processes essential to healing.