Can smoking increase swelling?

Question

Hello doctors before surgery i asked my doctor if i should quit smoking he said its not an obligation but its better not to smoke. I didn't do research so except first week i kept smoking. I still have TOO much swelling in tip and slightly above. Im at 3 months post op. Smoking might have caused this?

Anita Patel, MD, FACS · Answer

It sounds like you are referring to a rhinoplasty, and smoking does interfere with wound healing. I advise patients to stop smoking at least 4 weeks prior to surgery and at least 4-6 weeks after surgery. Not all surgeons require you to stop smoking, but in my practice, if a patient is still smoking I postpone the surgery. I simply want my patients to be under optimal conditions for healing. Your nose is not done healing. Even without any smoking at all, the nose really takes a year or so until you see your final result. At 3 months after a rhinoplasty, it is normal to have swelling still, especially at the tip. However, nicotine does get in the way of healing, and may delay your healing process since it temporarily constricts blood vessels, meaning less blood can get to where it needs to go to help you heal. I would advise you to stop smoking. Aside from having an increased risk of wound healing complications and increased risk of cancer, smokers age poorly compared to non-smokers.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear lilla28,smoking is likely not the cause if your swelling. However, smoking does have a lot of negative effects on human body and healing process so I would suggest you to stop it. The swelling after rhinoplasty can last for months. Consult your plastic surgeon in case of any issues.Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS 
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery  
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

Michael M. Omidi, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for the question. The simple answer is yes, smoking can exacerbate swelling following your rhinoplasty. 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. Of course, 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!

Richard A. Zoumalan, MD · Answer

I recommend stopping smoking 1 month before surgery, and at least one month after surgery. Nicotine interferes with healing.  In order to promote optimal healing, I recommend no smoking 1 month after your surgery. However, it is normal for swelling on your nose to fluctuate the first year post op.  Your nose does take 1 full year, and in some cases more, to reach the the near- final result. I recommend contacting your surgeon and informing him/her of your concerns.

Talmage J. Raine, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

Swelling can be caused by any number of reasons. The honest answer is that there is no literature that identifies smoking as a cause of prolonged swelling.Just stop smoking, have moderate alcohol consumption, keep you head elevated, and lay of salt. The swelling will eventually go away. All the best,Talmage Raine MD

Can smoking increase swelling?

Answers (5)

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