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Does Smoking and Alcohol Increase Swelling Post Rhinoplasty?

asked 3 years ago by chrisss22 in silver spring
Latest answer by Stephen Prendiville, MD
Question viewed 5,723 times
Tags: side effects

I had open rhinoplasty surgery about 2 months ago and it looked good until I started partying. Does alcohol consumption or smoking increase inflammation and swelling in and around the tip of the nose?

3 answers to Does Smoking and Alcohol Increase Swelling Post Rhinoplasty?

+1

Smoking leads to more swelling

Nicotine causes a "choking off" or vasoconstriction of blood vessels in your skin. In your postoperative state, you are relying on the vasculature of your nasal skin to decrease swelling. In non smokers who have had rhinoplasty, nasal tip edema can persist for up to a year. Smoking will only delay your eventual healing and your final result.
Stephen Prendiville, MD

Fort Myers Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.drprendiville.com

+1

Smoking and drinking not conducive to good healing

Alcohol can increase the swelling in the nose by vasodilation of the blood vessels. Cigarette smoking is an irritant to the internal portion of the nose. Both smoking and drinking are not conducive to good healing in the postoperative phase. It is best to quit smoking and limit the alcohol consumption.
William Portuese, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.seattlefacial.com

+1

The short answer is yes.

 If done in moderation it is probably not significant. Alcohol is a vasodilator and you may notice more swelling the next few days and then it will subside. 
Toby Mayer, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

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