Will inhaling second-hand smoke before Open Rhinoplasty impact my surgery?.

Question

I'm a former smoker; by the date of my surgery, I would be Nicotine-free for two weeks and five days. My friends and family understand my concern with inhaling their second-hand smoke, so they keep a good distance when they light up, yet every now and then I tend to get a good whiff and immediately exhale and move further away from the source of smoke. This has happened quite a few times during the last two weeks. Would this have an impact on my surgery?

Scott Trimas, MD · Answer

The most important thing for you to do is to make sure that you are not smoking as nicotine can play a role in healing and also may result in less than desirable scars especially with an open approach. I would try to avoid second hand smoke as well although I am not aware of any literature that says it will have a direct effect on wound healing and rhinoplasty outcomes. Good luck with your procedure.

Edward J. Gross, MD · Answer

Ultimately the answer to your question is no, inhaling second-hand smoke should not impact your Rhinoplasty surgery.  You are doing what you need to be doing, which is quitting smoking prior to your surgery and trying your best to stay away from the second-hand smoke.

Pablo Prichard, MD · Answer

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. Second hand smoke is also bad and can have the same result.  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

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD · Answer

Better to err on the side of caution when it comes to smoking or second hand smoke before and after an elective cosmetic procedure.  Follow your surgeon's advice and stay away as much as possible.

Wendell Perry, MD · Answer

Smoking causes damage in both the short term and long term fashion. Secondhand smoke also causes damage. The long-term damage has to do with the risk for cancer and damaging the blood vessels. The short damage has to do with irritating the lungs and causing reactive airways and on causes blood vessel spasm and decreased blood supply to the brain, the heart and the skin. These effects also take place with secondhand smoke.

Will inhaling second-hand smoke before Open Rhinoplasty impact my surgery?.

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Answer: Avoiding second hand smoke prior to and after surgery

Answer: Avoiding second hand smoke prior to and after surgery

Answer: Second hand smoke

Answer: Second hand smoke

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Will inhaling second-hand smoke before Open Rhinoplasty impact my surgery?.

Answers (6)

Answer: Avoiding second hand smoke prior to and after surgery

Answer: Avoiding second hand smoke prior to and after surgery

Answer: Second hand smoke

Answer: Second hand smoke

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Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.