Planning plastic surgery? Whether you’re having a facelift, tummy tuck, or any other surgery, prepping your body for the best results is essential. At Dr. Baotram Tran, MD, Plastic Surgeon, double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Baotram Tran has more than 15 years of specialized experience with an outstanding reputation for superior patient safety and excellent results.
In our Aventura office, Dr. Tran and our team spend time understanding our patients. We believe open, honest communication is the best way to prepare patients for surgery. One crucial conversation is about smoking — and why quitting before surgery is so important. Here are three of the main reasons Dr. Tran recommends you quit.
Smoking Causes Poor Healing
Nicotine causes blood vessel tightening, which reduces blood flow to the skin and tissues. Blood transports oxygen and nutrients that help your body heal inside and outside.
After surgery, smokers may struggle to recover. Surgical wounds take longer to close without enough blood and are more likely to reopen. Smokers also have a higher risk of thick scars and may need extra treatments or surgery to fix healing problems. Many studies have documented that nonsmokers heal better.
Increased Risk of Infection
Your immune system protects your body from infections, but smoking weakens it. Cigarette chemicals make it harder for white blood cells to fight bacteria, increasing infection risk after surgery. Post-surgical infections can cause redness, swelling, pus formation, and even deep tissue infections. Severe cases may require antibiotics, additional procedures, or hospitalization, prolonging your recovery and compromising your surgical outcome.
Smokers are about twice as likely to get an infection after surgery compared to nonsmokers.
Breathing Problems Under Anesthesia
Smoking harms your lungs, making anesthesia more dangerous. It causes more mucus in the airways and makes it harder to breathe.
Smokers have an increased risk of breathing issues during surgery (while under anesthesia) and after surgery, such as coughing, wheezing, and low oxygen levels. They’re also more likely to develop pneumonia or lung infections.
Dr. Baotram Tran, MD, Plastic Surgeon in Miami, FL
Dr. Baotram Tran takes a personalized approach, ensuring you understand the steps needed for a successful surgery. Schedule your appointment by calling 954-499-4954 now.
