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SMAS Facelift Side Effect True for Smokers?
I keep reading that SMAS Facelift is bad for smokers--it has something to do about the skin dying. Is this true? Should I not have one, as I do smoke? Please advise.
Asked 33 months ago by
Tonweather in Oklahoma
+2
The SMAS facelift is actually ideal for smokers
When you do a SMAS facelift, you are elevating the layers of the face in a deeper plane which allows you to preserve a thicker skin flap. The added vascularity that is associated with a thicker flap is actually safer for smokers. This approach is what I use for people with a significant history of smoking.
One thing that you should do is to go to someone with a lot of experience with performing facelifts. You also want someone that is going to take his time.
Bellevue Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2
SMAS facelift in Smokers
Smokers are at higher risk for a number of post-operative complications, ranging from skin slough of the facial skin, oxygenation issues before-during-and postoperatively, etc.
Nicotine, either in the form of primary or second hand smoke, nicotine patches or any form of nicotine delivery system, causes the small blood vessels in the skin to constrict and reduces blood flow to the flaps of skin elevated during the facelift surgery. The thinner the flaps, the higher the risk of compromise...
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+2
Either way, you should not smoke 2 weeks before and after any facelift.
All smokers need to stop smoking before a facelift of any type. The more the skin is separated from its blood supply as in a full SMAS lift, the greater the risk of the skin dying. In 30 years of doing facelifts, I feel a more conservative lift is warranted in smokers.
+2
Smokers and face lifts - a bad combination
Smoking interferes with blood flow, and active smokers are at much higher risk for complications (ie: wide scars, slow healing, and even skin death with significant scarring) with any surgery. Surgery that requires wide undermining of a skin flap (such as certain face lift techniques, tummy tucks, or large breast lifts) are high risk for patients who smoke. Most surgeons will require that smokers abstain for at least 3-4 weeks before and after the procedure (although this does not lower...
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+1
Facelifts for smokers
Facelifts is general have greater risks for smokers although some physicians believe that a deep plane facelift helps maintain circulation to the skin by requiring less skin undermining. Stopping several weeks before facelift can help but still cannot negate the vascular effects of years of nicotine in your system. I would certainly recommend that you stop smoking for a variety of reasons and to be smoke free for as long as possible before surgery.
+1
Smokers and facelift
Smoking in general is a NO NO with surgery. It increases the complication rate significantly. I tell my patients to stop at least 3-4 weeks prior to surgery.
+1
It is best to quit smoking prior to a facelift.
Smoking increases the likelihood of skin healing problems. Since this is an elective cosmetic procedure, it is best to quit smoking to improve your chances of having a safe and uncomplicated outcome. You need to stop smoking for at least 4 weeks prior to the procedure.
San Diego Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1
Smoking is etrimental to wound healing following surgery
Smoking is detrimental to wound healing following surgery. Smoking can significantly impair circulation. It is advisable to discontinue smoking at least 6 weeks prior to surgery. Different facelift techniques may theoretically improve your changes, the best option is to quit smoking altogether. Warmest regards, Dr. Pippin.
+1
Smoking+Facelift=Bad Results
Smoking and any Facelift can produce devastating results! Smoking dramatically reduces the circulation the skin and incision areas. This produce poor healing and frank dying of the skin in any area. Most plastic surgeons will not perform a Facelift on patients that smoke. I include myself in that group. If you desire a Facelift then you need to quit smoking and I know it is not easy! With help of support groups, family, friends and your family...
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+1
Smoking and Facelifts
When doing a facelift, skin is lifted off of the fatty tissue. Skin gets its direct blood supply from this fatty layer. So, when lifting it up, the blood supply becomes much more tenuous. Tobacco smoke has two effects on the blood vessels to the skin:
It narrows already small blood vessels by causing plaque deposits. This is called microvascular disease. This probably doesn't happen from one weeks or even one year of smoking, but is part of the...
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+1
Facelift Risks of Smoking
This is absolutely true. The risk of skin necrosis and poor wound healing in facelift patients is exponentially higher in those who smoke compared to those who do not. This is an entirely elective cosmetic procedure, therefore, you would want to maximize all variables in your favor before having such an operation. You would be much better off making a concerted effort to stop smoking then have your facelift procedure thereafter. Like many facial plastic surgeons, I would not perform a...
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+1
SMAS and smoking
Smoking typically is a poor combination with any facelift, in particular a SMAS lift, due to the superficial nature of the lift. Smoking can lead to higher incidence of skin necrosis and issues healing. A deep plane facelift may offer a thicker more robust flap and a safer alternative to a patient who smokes.
Chicago Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1
Smoking is bad for facelifts
I am sure that the dying skin can happen in other types of facelifts as well - but not to the same degree. But why take a risk!
Stop smoking for three weeks before and three weeks after and you will do well regardless of the technique!
+1
Smokers don't heal well
Regardless of technique employed, nicotine will delay healing due to its effect on the blood vessels that supply the skin. Wound healing is a function of blood supply and is the reason that incisions typically heal very well on the face. The equation changes in long term smokers, whereby the microvasculature that supplies the skin (subdermal plexus) becomes choked off due to nicotine. Less blood supply means less predictable healing, and sometimes loss of skin.
The reason that SMAS...
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