Do I need to stop smoking marijuana before my facelift? May I continue to take alpha lipoic acid up until the day of surgery?

Smoking
pre and post-surgery can not only delay healing, but can also increase the risk
of bleeding during the procedure. I always advise patients to ensure that they
are in optimal health prior to any surgery, however minor. Any medication
should be disclosed to your surgeon at consultation stage so that they can
assess risks.

Marijuana has no nicotine but has similar level of carcinogens, carbon monoxide, and bronchial irritants as tobacco therefore it is not recommended within 2 weeks before and after surgery.  There is little in the literature regarding the safety of alpha-lipoic acid in the literature, therefore I would also recommend a 2 week hiatus before and after surgery for this. 

 I don't personally think marijuana smoking would have any effect on the procedure but for pulmonary reasons is probably a good idea not to smoke for a couple weeks prior to the operation. Any medications used  or discontinued before your surgery should be cleared with your own surgeon.

Any kind of smoking would compromise healing in facelift surgery. Smoking Marijuana may increase bleeding during surgery. Please ask your doctor regarding herbal suppliments. 

Carbon monoxide is the flap killer even more than nicotine associated with conventional tobacco.  Cannabis smoking is a bad idea for that reason alone. Supplements are more often a risk than a benefit.  Stop them. This is wonderful opportunity to rejuvenate yourself. Don't complicate your surgery.

You are spending a lot of money for a good result, why would you want to risk having problem? You also need to consider the effects this can have with anesthesias, especially if they don't know. Anesthesiologist are reporting that they are finding and having more problems intra-operatively with patients takings herbs supplements, smoking that they don't know about. Why risk it?Good LuckStephen M. Davis, MD, FACSGreen Hills Plastic Surgery 

Smoking of any kind is not a good idea prior to a facelift procedure due to complications that can occur such as infection and necrosis. It's always best to talk to your surgeon about this.

You must stop smoking, even cannabis 5-8 weeks before a facelift. If you do not you risk loss of facial skin and horrific scarring. Ask you plastic surgeon about medicines to avoid prior to surgery.

You do not have to stop smoking marijuana but it is not highly recommended.  You have increased risks of complications if you smoke.  You can take alpha lipoic acid until the day of surgery.

Address these questions to your surgeon.  In general, smoking can cause complications in Facelift patients.  Regarding vitamins and supplements, your Plastic Surgeon and Anesthesia Department are the best to advise you. Best wishes!