Is it safe to smoke/vape 7 months after a rhinoplasty?

Question

I had a rhinoplasty with DCF rib graft 7 months ago. Will smoking or vaping have an adverse effect on my results? I have observed some resorption, and am concerned this might accelerate it, particularly if the resorption is caused by poor placement. As i understand it, smoking causes vasoconstriction and a reduction in blood oxygenation. This sounds disastrous for a graft which requires adequate blood supply.

Celal Alioglu, MD · Answer

Hello normally smoking bad for our health but after the surgery it is too important not to smoke because it can effect your healing process

Salih Aydin, MD · Answer

Hello, since smoking reduces the amount of oxygen in the tissue, it can cause melting (loss of volume) in the ribs. but we do not have clear information about it. Based on experience, we think that heavy smoker people may experience a meltdown of the ribs. 7 months is quite a long time. It is better not to smoke at all. However, even if smoking is going to be smoked, smoking less may cause little or no damage to this graft. As for electronic cigarettes, electronic cigarettes do not reduce the amount of oxygen going to the tissue. Therefore, it does not harm the ribs, but as a doctor, I would like to remind you that smoking or electronic cigarettes are very harmful to health in general.

Akshay Sanan, MD, FACS · Answer

Dear ohyet678,Smoking causes vasoconstriction and other deleterious health effects. I recommend you discuss with your surgeon your concerns. I do not operate on patients who smoke and as a physician, encourage you to quit smoking.
All the best,Dr. Sanan, MDFacial Plastic SurgeryLos Angeles, CA

Is it safe to smoke/vape 7 months after a rhinoplasty?

Answers (3)