Why Can't I Have Neck or Facelift as a Smoker?

It is absolutely imperative to stop smoking as it causes a much higher risk of complications including skin loss and other wound healing problems. Therefore, I do not operate on patients who smoke unless they have stopped for at least 4 weeks pre-operatively.

As long as you are willing to quite for a few weeks before and after surgery your surgical risks should be acceptable - especially if you have had a good outcome before

A good plastic surgery result relies on good blood flow. The nicotine, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen cyanide in the blood of smokers inhibits their blood's ability to deliver sufficient oxygen to their healing tissues. Thus, patients who smoke are at greater risk of complications and poor wound healing. This is why doctors are hesitant or even unwilling to perform surgery on patients who smoke. Although you are at increased risk for a full face lift, a modified or mini-facelift such as the Lite Lift™ can be performed with less risk than more extensive procedures.