How long should I stay away from drinking and smoking after blepharoplasty (double eyelid surgery)?

Question

I'm not a heavy drinker (I drink exclusively at social gatherings) and I rarely smoke, maybe one cigarette a month. However, I was just curious as to how long I have to abstain from alcohol and smoking after receiving blepharoplasty in order to have safe results? Would it be okay to drink 9 days after?

Charles S. Lee, MD, FACS · Answer

After 9 days a light  amount of drinking is not going to be much of an issue. I would avoid smoking as long as possible (on a scale of months) in order to minimize the risk of persistent puffiness.

Michael Constantin Gartner, DO · Answer

In general, you'll obtain the best and safest results by stopping smoking at least 6 weeks prior and keep from smoking for 6 weeks after. Also, I ask my patients not to drink for at least two weeks after their eyelid surgery. Please follow the instructions of your surgeon.

Michael A. Epstein, MD, FACS · Answer

Every plastic surgeon has his or her own post-operative protocol and set of instructions, so it would be best to check with your plastic surgeon to see what his or her response would be to your question. However, at almost 2 weeks post surgery, having a drink at a social gathering should not alter your results in any way. Smoking on the other hand is not something any doctor would condone. For your overall health, it's best to avoid lighting up, even if it's one cigarette per month.   As a plastic surgeon, cigarette smoking is especially concerning because it can cause more immediate problems with wound healing.

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

If we are talking about a single alcoholic beverage (i.e. 4-6 oz of wine, 1.5 oz hard liquor) in an evening, probably no issue.  If we are talking a bottle of wine or 4 hard liquor drinks, totally another story.  No one wants you to fall over and damage an early surgical result.  The smoking is much easier to answer.  Please stop smoking.  It is damaging your body, it is destroying your face.  If you truly only smoke one cigarette, please just stop lighting up.

Todd Christopher Hobgood, MD · Answer

I would recommend you speak with your surgeon as this is really an art more than a science.  In general about a month off of smoking before and after any cosmetic surgery is really key to improve blood flow to the site for healing.  If you quit for 2 months, why not quit for life?Alcohol is very different in its activity and usually is fine to avoid for the lifetime of the cell in the blood stream that helps to clot blood.  They only persist about 10 days, so I usually ask my patients to hold off on alcohol 10 days before surgery and for 2 weeks after.Hope that helps!  Give your doctor a ring!Dr. Hobgood.

Suzanne Kim Doud Galli, MD, PhD, FACS · Answer

You should follow your surgeon's postoperative instructions in order to minimize excessive bruising and swelling and maximize the healing process.

Edwin Ishoo, MD · Answer

As a physician we cannot advise you as to when it is "safe" to resume alcohol and nicotine consumption. The medical response is never. Discuss this with your surgeon who has the opportunity to review your physical recovery and any medical conditions. Your priority now is recovery from surgery.

Peter Newen, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Every plastic surgeon has their own post operative protocal.  They should have given you something prior to your surgery possibly at your pre-op appointment with specific instructions.  If not you may want to give your surgeons office a call and find out what they recommend.  I would say at 2 weeks you should be find to have a drink at a social gathering.  As my colleagues have stated smoking is something different and I would stay away from smoking as long as possible (months).  It is best for your overall health and healing that you not smoke as it can cause problems with wound healing.Best of luck,Dr. Peter Newen

How long should I stay away from drinking and smoking after blepharoplasty (double eyelid surgery)?

Answers (8)

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