Did I Jeopardize the Final Result of my Rhinoplasty by Smoking and Drinking 3 Weeks Post Op?

Moderate alcohol consumption after an operation such as Rhinoplasty carries the risk of increased swelling in the area, resulting in a longer healing time but not any significant damage unless you have trauma to the area as a result. Smoking significantly decreases healing potential due to the decrease in peripheral blood flow to the area, but again it will not cause significant damage.  You may have slowed your healing process, but you have not done serious damage if this was an infrequent activity.

Jaime Perez, MD

Rhinoplasty Specialist

Plastic Surgery Center of Tampa

 

Hello,

It appears that smoking and drinking increase your swelling; which will slow down your recovery process if not treated/stopped.

I recommend that you wait till you reach the 2 months mark before you resume the moderate drinking.

As for smoking that I am sure you are aware of all it as a serious health hazard, it would be at your best interest to have it stopped especially that it contributes to vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels) hence impeding your recovery.

 

Thank you for your question.

Best of wishes.

Dr. Sajjadian

 

 

Thank you for the question. You should absolutely consult with your physician about your smoking habits in order to obtain the most reliable and individualized medical advice. Most specialists recommend abstaining from smoking for 2-3 weeks before a rhinoplasty, while others may insist on a full month or two. Smoking will cause irritation and restrict the blood flow to your healing areas, possibly causing complications during the recovery period.  
In addition, you should also make sure to avoid smoking for at least two weeks after surgery as it may interfere with your healing process. Smoking after surgery may restrict the flow of blood to the healing areas, exacerbate swelling, and prolong recovery. If you experienced an increase in swelling after smoking, your best bet is to consult with your plastic surgeon and see if it can be resolved.  As a physician, I would advise you to quit smoking altogether due to a variety of health risks associated with it. 
 An in-person exam with a board-certified plastic surgeon would be the best way to assess your needs and obtain expert medical advice. Best of luck!

Three weeks after surgery is probably fine to smoke, although it is of course not healthy.Here are the major points of smoking Tobacco or Marijuana before or after surgery:1. There is nicotine in tobacco, but not in marijuana. However, most joints are rolled with marijuana and tobacco combination. Nicotine is a vasoconstrictor that decreases blood flow to the tissues. This is the major problems that can cause a very bad outcome in some surgeries. In a breast augmentation, there is not a lot of risk as there are not a lot of incisions which decrease blood flow to the tissues. In a breast lift or tummy tuck, on the other hand, there is much longer and more involved incisions. The decrease in blood flow to the tissues in combination with the decrease in blood flow from the nicotine can cause tissue to die. This can cause part of the breast or nipple, or in the case of a tummy tuck, part of the belly tissue to die, resulting in a very bad outcome. This is especially bad in breast reductions or face lifts. In a rhinoplasty the tip of the nose and the columella, the area between the tip and the lip, is at risk. Your skin and tissue can turn black and fall off if this happens. In fat transfer, the constricted blood flow can cause the fat to not get a blood supply and die. Marijuana without tobacco does not cause this problem, or marijuana in an edible fashion. Vaporizers do not decrease the amount of nicotine in tobacco, only decrease the smoke. Hookah also does not decrease nicotine.2. There is carbon monoxide in both tobacco smoke and marijuana smoke. Carbon monoxide decreases the oxygen carrying capacity of hemoglobin in the blood. This is different from the vasoconstrictor effect, but has the same result of having the risk of tissue death in conjunction with surgeries that decrease the blood flow to tissues such as breast lifts and tummy tucks, as opposed to an augmentation alone that does not decrease blood flow to as great of an extent. Again, edible forms of marijuana do not have smoke, and thus carbon monoxide poisoning.3. Coughing. Both tobacco and marijuana smoke disrupt the lining of the lungs and bronchi and can lead to coughing episodes. Coughing episodes can lead to internal bleeding after surgery that can lead to hematomas and complications, and again a bad outcome. Again, edible forms of marijuana does not have this effect.4. Anesthesia effects. Marijuana can have drug interactions with certain anesthetic drugs. Thus it is important to tell your anesthesiologist about your marijuana use.In conclusion, Smoking, whether it be tobacco or marijuana, is detrimental to your surgery outcome. Edible marijuana is much less so, but be honest about your use with your surgeon and anesthesiologist so that you can have the best outcome. In general, you should quite smoking many weeks, ideally 6 weeks before surgery, and not smoke for at least 2 weeks after surgery.Best wishes,Pablo Prichard, MD

You seemed to answer your own question to a degree noting that the increased swelling came after the drinking and any swelling you get in the nose after a rhinoplasty is slow to resolve.  Best to avoid the risk at this time.  Smoking inhibits wound healing and can be a significant factor for the rhinoplasty result, but also is a general health risk.For more information, please go to my website at:WirthPlasticSurgery.com