Does Cocaine Use Affect Your Surgery?

Cocaine use greatly increases the risk of septal perforation after septorhinoplasty because it compromises the blood supply to the septum.  With chronic use it's not uncommon to develop septal perforation even without surgery.  In addition to being cardiotoxic (damaging to your heart), cocaine use can increase the risk of anesthesia complications.  

Do not proceed with your surgery as you are at marked increased risks of complications from both recent use of cocaine and ongoing nicotine use. You need to have medical clearance at a minimum from the anesthesiologist who needs to know of this history, and need to be off both cocaine and nicotine for months prior to elective surgery. I also strongly recommend that you are candid with your surgeon and never hold back medical details that could affect your health. There is a sacred patient physician relationship restricting him from sharing any of your medical information

Even recreational cocaine use may put you at risk for rhinoplasty related complications like septal perforation, and poor cosmetic outcome. Cocaine use post-operatively may also lead to poor healing, and functional collapse of your nose. 

Hope this is helpful.

Dr. Joseph