Does smoking and alcohol increase swelling post Rhinoplasty?

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...”

A: The short answer is yes.

Toby G. Mayer, MD

 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. 

A: Smoking and drinking not conducive to good healing

William Portuese, MD

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.

A: Smoking leads to more swelling

Stephen Prendiville, MD

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... more

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