How soon after Rhinoplasty is it safe to start smoking again without affecting the healing process or causing any complications?

If you are a smoker and  preparing for the rhinoplasty surgery and also any other surgery under general anesthesia, it's important that you stop smoking for at least two weeks before and after the procedure.  Smoking significantly reduces your body's circulation and vascularity, also smokers generally heal slower and have an increased risk of other complications such as delayed healing, additional scarring. Additionally smoking after rhinoplasty may have a significant negative effect on recovering from anesthesia: airway obstruction; coughing related to smoking can cause increased bleeding. Individuals who are not exposed to tobacco smoke have a lower risk of any type of complications.

Thank you for your question. Quitting smoking all together is the best option. However, realistically waiting about 6 weeks should be okay. Smoking while recovering delays wound healing and may slow down the recovery time. The nicotine can make the blood clot more easily which can further clog small blood vessels and capillaries. These effects are extremely serious because they decrease the blood supply to the tissues, can result in wounds not healing, and can result in some devastating complications. Best option is to stop smoking all together. Best of luck!Dhaval M. Patel Double board certified Plastic surgeon Hoffman Estates Barrington Oakbrook Chicago

Frankly smoking is just plain bad as everyone now knows. It will have a negative effect on healing. It doesn't matter if its a hang nail procedure or micro vascular surgery. However that said, in the great majority of rhinoplasties, it won't make a clinically significant difference. You should still quit.

The healing process is particularly active for 6 weeks (called the proliferative phase) and takes close to 6 months after any surgery to truly assess the results. However, we typically advise our patients to avoid smoking a month before and after.

Thank you for the question. You should absolutely consult with your physician about your smoking habits in order to obtain the most reliable and individualized medical advice. Most specialists recommend abstaining from smoking for 2-3 weeks before a rhinoplasty, while others may insist on a full month or two. Smoking will cause irritation and restrict the blood flow to your healing areas, possibly causing complications during the recovery period.   
In addition, you should also make sure to avoid smoking for at least two weeks after surgery as it may interfere with your healing process. Smoking after surgery may restrict the flow of blood to the healing areas, exacerbate swelling, and prolong recovery. Of course, as a physician, I would advise you to quit smoking altogether due to a variety of health risks associated with it. 
 An in-person exam with a board-certified plastic surgeon would be the best way to assess your needs and obtain expert medical advice. Best of luck!