Smoking and Smart Lipo on Neck/Jowls

Liposuction is typically done under general anesthesia.  You can usually tell a smoker from a non smoker because on the OR table the smoker is coughing in their sleep and their bodies jump up while coughing. 

Smoking should be avoided before and after any surgical procedures because your body needs oxygen to heal properly. 

To get the liposuction canniulas into the skin, small incisions are made and smokers tend to scar most of the time. 

If you are a smoker and want to get liposuction, it is recommended to stop smoking two weeks before and two weeks after surgery.  Smoking slows down the healing process and puts patients at a higher risk for complications.  It also reduces the blood flow to the area that was operated on which can add to possible complications.  While smoking is not an absolute contraindication for performing liposuction of the neck, you would certainly want to give yourself the best possible chance of healing nicely.  Your surgeon will discuss all the complications with you at the time of your consult.

Liposuction is not an emergency life threatening procedure. It is an elective procedure designed to improve ones appearance. Therefore, your health should be optiimized prior to the procedure so that you can healwell and obtain  the best possible outcome. Smoking interferes with the skin and fat cells oxygen availablitiy.

Smoking is a risk factor for all cosmetic surgery, though it will impact facelift and tummy tuck to a much greater degree that with liposuction. Of course it is best to stop but the risk is only a modest one.
Best of luck,
peterejohnsonmd

The risk of complications after surgery is higher for smokers,especially for surgeries that involves long incision and lifting. The risk is much less for surgeries like laser lipo.