Facelift: Q&A
Ask a QuestionBest Facelift Procedure for a Smoker?
I am considering a MACS (short-scar) Facelift or a Deep plane Facelift. Problem is I'm having a hard time kicking my cigarette smoking habit.
I know that most plastic surgeons won't perform a Facelift on a smoker & would like to know the safest Facelift for a smoker, MACS (s-lift) or deep plane? Thank you.
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25 Doctor Answers |
Asked by
Babscali
in Calif.
+4
Facelift for smokers
Smokers must stop smoking before and after surgery, period. The risks of large patches of dead skin and permanent scarring are far too great in patients who are actively smoking. In this matter there is little debate. The question is how to deal with a smoker who has temporarily quit smoking for the requisite 4 weeks. I know studies debate this, but I believe there is a significantly higher risk of skin slough (dead skin) even with smokers who have ceased smoking.
Therefore in our...
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+4
Best facelift for a smoker is no facelift at all
Since you already know that most plastic surgeons won't do a facelift on a smoker, why do you want to get around that advice and put yourself in harms way? The risk is skin death - the skin turns black and dies and creates unfixable scars. Sorry about being graphic but it sounds like you need to hear the reality behind the advice.
In order to reduce your risk but not eliminate it, you need to be away from all nicotine products for at least one month beofore and after surgery, including...
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+2
Facelift and Smokers
I'm sure that not one of the physicians will say much more than stop smoking. The risk of skin loss is so high in smokers that doing a facelift on a smoker is a set up for failure. So my impression is that your dissatisfaction with your facial appearance isn't out weighed by your smoking. You'll quit when it is.
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+2
Best Facelift Procedure for Smoker
The best procedure for a smoker is to quit smoking. We recommend quitting for four weeks before and after surgery. The primary risk is skin loss secondary to compromised circulation. Depending on the patient's age and smoking history, I will do a conservative facelift. These means limited surgery (as a minilift), and therefore limited improvement.
+2
Undermining the skin + smoking = skin loss
Plastic surgeons get nervous performing operations on smokers which involve undermining a lot of skin because cigarette smoking decreases the ability of the body to heal and the blood supply to the skin in numerous ways. That said, we perform operations every day on smokers if the procedure does not involve a great deal of undermining. I do always inform patients, however, that smokers absolutely do not heal as well as non-smokers. There are numerous things you can do to improve your...
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+2
Quit Smoking!!!
I like the mini face lift with minimal flaps for someone whom smokes. There are some doctors whom will operate on smokers and some that will not. I think it is always safest to assume that someone whom smokes will probably continue smoking after surgery and plan the surgery accordingly and do a lesser procedure with thicker flaps and less dissection. I would also think of adding some laser resurfacing secondarily and fillers to enhance the result.
+2
No facelifts for smokers
Hi, frankly I would strongly advise against any type of facelift if you smoke. The risks of skin necrosis (the skin turns black and sloughs off) and subsequent scarring are very real. If you are planning to spend the time and money for a facelift, it's in your best interest to be smoke-free. I certainly understand that it's difficult to quit smoking, but this will be the best option for you in the long run both for your health and your surgical results. Good luck, /nsn....
+2
Deep plane
The safer of the 2 techniques is a deep plane facelift because less skin elevation is required to lift the face. But ideally being smoke free is the best case scenario.Have you sought professional help to stop smoking?
My patients have had success with Welbutrin and there are newer drugs with good short term success rates available. You will need to be smoke free for at least 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after surgery.
Although you might do well regardless, it makes sense to control as many...
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+2
Facelift and smoking do not mix
Smoking is the single most detrimental thing you can do to you face and skin second only to severe sun exposure or photo aging. Twin studies or comparisons have been done to evaluate the aging effect on the skin between a smoking and a non smoking twin and the aging process can be accelerated over 10 years compared to the non smoking twin.
Smoking constricts the fine blood vessels in the skin dramatically increasing the risk of poor healing or skin loss after facelift. The best facelift in...
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+2
Facelift for Smokers
None
It is not advisable to undergo any kind of facelift.
You have a lot of other options available to improve your looks. Botox and filler injections can make a big difference. Especially fillers can be used for doing a 'liquid facelift'
My favorite filler for that is Sculptra. In fact I have had patients who were too scared to get a facelift and ended up getting Sculptra and are very happy with the results.
If despite all this you end up going forward with smoking, please start Vitamin C...
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These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.
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