CONTRA-INDICATIONS TO COSMETIC SURGERY

SMOKING:

Cigarette smoking is a significant risk factor in cosmetic or reconstructive plastic surgery. I cannot emphasise this strongly enough.

Unacceptable complication rates exist when patients smoke before and after surgery. It also adversely affects healing and scarring.

Smoking for 10 minutes decreases the oxygen level in your blood for almost an hour and a typical pack a day smoker remains hypoxic (having diminished oxygen in the tissues) for most of the day. Nicotine narrows fine blood vessels causing a decrease in blood flow.

Cigarette smoking increases the likelihood of a blood clot occurring. This is a very serious complication and can be fatal.

Wound healing is inhibited by smoking. Skin necrosis (death of tissue), wound breakdown and infection, delayed healing, and bad scar formation are more likely in a person who smokes prior to surgery.

I understand the problems a smoker faces in coping with these restrictions but I strongly encourage my patients to refrain from smoking for at least six weeks prior to surgery and for six weeks post surgery.

The patient who smokes and who undergoes facelift surgery is courting disaster. This is precision surgery and the investment the patient has made both financially and emotionally is seriously undermined by smoking.

Breast reduction and abdominoplasty patients are more at risk of breathing problems developing during surgery. This can lead to collapse or infection of the lungs.

Whatever the procedure, you are not being fair on yourself or me if you continue to smoke before and after surgery.

I will not accept any responsibility for complications attributable to or aggravated by smoking.

Julian A. Lofts MB ChB FRACS (Plast.)