Hookah and Rhinoplasty. Will I be okay for surgery?

Question

I have a rhinoplasty procedure scheduled in two weeks. My doctor told me I could stop drinking and smoking at two weeks minimum. However, I attended a party so I smoked some hookah and had some drinks a day into my two weeks. Now I'm concerned. . Is this enough time or not? When I had my breast augmentation, I remember that I couldn't drink or smoke anything for a whole month. Will I be okay for surgery?

Karan Dhir, MD · Answer

Smoking significantly reduces your body’s circulation and
vascularity - smokers also tend to generally heal slower and increase their risk
of other complications such as infection and scarring. I encourage my patients to stop smoking for
at least 2 weeks before and 2-4 weeks after surgery. A drink or two a week before the surgery
should not affect the healing process very much but I definitely think you
should be honest with your doctor and see what his/her recommendation will be
to satisfy both of your goals.

Ross A. Clevens, MD, FACS · Answer

Dear Shekira26,The damage has been done. At this point, alert your surgeon ASAP and discontinue any smoking before and after surgery. To demonstrate how minimal actions can inhibit the best possible results from your Rhinoplasty consider that for
the first four to six weeks after surgery the constant gentle pressure of
glasses can result in slight movement or repositioning of the nasal bones.Sincerely,Ross A. Clevens, MD, FACS

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

You should contact your surgeon to ask about drinking and smoking before your rhinoplasty.  Different surgeons may have different lengths of time they want patients to stop smoking and drinking before and after surgery.  Since your surgeon will be responsible for you and your care, you should discuss with him or her your drinking and smoking and let them make the decision.

Julian W. Dixon, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question. The risk of smoking and surgery is related to the chronic small vessel disease and poor circulation that can result from a chronic history of smoking. In addition nicotine in particular has some vasoconstrictive properties that can be acutely disadvantageous to healing. An isolated event should have no adverse effect on your surgery result. Hope this helps.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

It is always  best to ask your operative surgeon  what their parameters are regarding alcohol and smoking. In our practice a couple of drinks a little bit of smoking 2 weeks prior the surgery should not affect the outcome.

Dennis Barek, MD (retired) · Answer

If there is hookah smoking or drinking more than a week before surgery , there is not much increased risk for complications.

Hookah and Rhinoplasty. Will I be okay for surgery?

Answers (6)

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