Smoking reduces blood flow and slows healing after liposuction.
Of all the post-operative instructions we give at Lin Europe Clinic, the “no smoking” rule is the one patients struggle with the most. We have always this “Can’t I just have one?” or “What about vaping?” Unfortunately, the answer is a strict no. Asking “Why can’t I smoke after liposuction?” is not only a concern about general health but also a matter of your skin surviving the operation.
Liposuction is a procedure that enables skin to heal and retract nicely on the new contours. Smoking will interfere significantly with this process. It is not just about lungs; it is about blood circulation. Nicotine is one of the most potent chemicals that can change your body’s physiology in a way that a simple cosmetic procedure can be changed into a medical disaster. The present guide explains the biological effects of the prohibition and the reasons why stopping smoking for a few weeks is the best investment you can make in your brand new body.
The Science of Vasoconstriction
The main adversary is nicotine, a chemical found not only in cigarettes but also in nicotine patches, vaping liquid. Nicotine is a vasoconstrictor, it causes the blood vessels to narrow and tighten. The diameter of the microscopic capillaries gets significantly reduced when you inhale cigarette smoke or vape.
It is with blood that oxygen and nutrients necessary for the tissue repair are transported. The skin to the liposuction area was separated from the fat and fascia beneath it. It has thus become injured and very much in need of air. Smoking means you are doing the opposite of giving blood to this delicate tissue thus causing it to become starving. Instead of plenty of healing nutrients, your skin will receive very little.
The Nightmare Scenario: Skin Necrosis
The worst effect of oxygen deficiency is necrosis (from Greek μηνύματος – death and -osis – process), a condition when a portion of the tissue dies due to the lack of blood supply, or ischemia. The skin, in the absence of sufficient blood supply, dies. It does not heal properly and turns black, forms a hard crust, and finally, the skin will fall off leaving a wound.
Necrosis matters a lot and needs a considerable amount of care. Moreover, it causes permanent scarring and disfigurement and can sometimes require the application of skin grafts if necessary. Smokers are many times more likely to develop necrosis than non-smokers. By quitting smoking, you can eliminate almost entirely the risk of this complication.
Infection and Delayed Healing
Moreover, smoking inhibits your immune system significantly. Antibacterial defense is slowed down because of less effective white blood cells, which is the reason for the increased risk of infection after the surgery.
Besides that, smoking reduces the collagen production rate, which is a protein that acts as adhesive glue for wounds. Wounds that normally heal in two weeks may remain unhealed for six weeks, which significantly prolongs the open-wound phase in which bacteria are able to enter the wound and thus it could easily become infected.
Vaping, Patches, and Gum
A lot of people believe that vaping or using nicotine patches is a safe alternative since there is no tar or smoke.This is false.The main damaging effect is due to the vasoconstricting action of nicotine, and the mode of nicotine delivery is thus irrelevant.
Various tobacco products such as vaping, chewing tobacco, gum, and patches can deliver nicotine into your bloodstream, resulting in blood vessel shrinkage being at the same level as the case with smoking cigarettes. You must ensure that you are not only completely nicotine but also tobacco-free for your safety. This includes hookah and “light” cigarettes.
The Timeline: When to Stop and Start
At Lin Europe Clinic, we strictly follow global safety standards.
- Before Surgery: All nicotine products need to be discontinued at least 4 weeks before the surgery date. This removes carbon monoxide from the blood and allows oxygen levels to get back to normal.
- After Surgery: It is essential that you do not use any form of nicotine for at least 4 weeks post-op. The majority of this time covers the very important phases of angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels).
Just in case you are smoking right up to the day before the operation, the anesthesiologist can cancel your surgery in order to protect your life because smoking affects the functioning of your lungs while they are under anesthesia.
Bad Scars and Loose Skin
After liposuction one is not only getting rid of fat but also the skin is going to be through a shrinking process to the new body shape. The reason why smoking destroys the elastin fibers that make the skin loose, wrinkled, and saggy is simply that the skin cells have been gradually replaced with cells deprived of the process required to keep it healthy and rejuvenated. Thus, if you continue to smoke while recovering, your skin won’t have the ability to stretch and retract after the fat is removed, so instead of getting a toned body, you’ll get rippling or wrinkles.
Moreover, wounds that lack oxygen tend to heal with thicker, larger, and darker scars. Thus, if the tiny liposuction incisions are going to be left marginally visible, it has to be an oxygen-rich environment.
Liposuction in Turkey
First of all, we get that quitting is hard, especially when you are stressed out about your surgery and travel. At Lin Europe Clinic Istanbul we are totally with you when it comes to this challenge. We can assist you with various resources and be a source of motivation to stay smoke-free for the duration of your stay.
Having everything under our roof remphasis the fact that your recovery environment will be clean and tranquil to allow your wound to heal better. Every day, it is the healing of your incision that we watch. We are telling you now to consider this operation as a new start – not just for your body but for your overall health as well. Put first your health when you decide to have your surgery in Istanbul and we will, at the same time, put your safety first.
Frequently Asked Questions About Smoking and Liposuction
Smoking causes vasoconstriction, which means blood vessels get narrower and less oxygen is delivered to the healing skin. This may result in tissue death (necrosis), infection, and unsightly scarring.
Vaping is not allowed. Since vaping contains nicotine, it will do the same blood vessel damage as cigarettes. It is mandatory to refrain from vaping for 4 weeks before and after surgery.
You need to give up cigarettes at least 4 weeks before the operation. This window helps your lungs and blood vessels get back to a normal state which is necessary for the anesthesia and healing process.
Nicotine patches are also a no because they provide nicotine to your bloodstream, which also causes blood vessels to shrink. You have to be totally free of nicotine.
Yes, it does. Cigarette smoking harms the skin’s ability to stretch and this is why you are more likely to end up with loose skin, ripples, and uneven shapes after fat removal.
American Society of Plastic Surgeons. (2020). Patient Safety: Smoking and Plastic Surgery.
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Nolan, J., et al. (1985). The influence of smoking on wound healing. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 75(3), 453-458.
Theocharidis, V., et al. (2005). The effect of smoking on postoperative complications after plastic surgery. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 29(6), 564-569.
