How Smoking Increases Your Risk of Complications After Plastic Surgery

Thinking about plastic surgery and wondering how your smoking habit might factor in? It’s a smart question to ask. Smoking affects your body’s ability to heal, which can raise your risk of complications after surgery.

Dr. Christopher Williams and Dr. Jeremy Williams, board-certified plastic surgeons at Park Meadows Cosmetic Surgery & Aesthetics in Lone Tree, Colorado, talk openly with patients about how smoking can affect surgery and recovery. They work with you to make the entire process safer, starting with an honest conversation about your habits and goals.

How Smoking Affects Surgery

Smoking interferes with how your body delivers oxygen to the tissues that need it most after surgery. Nicotine causes blood vessels to narrow, which reduces healthy circulation and makes it more difficult for your skin and underlying tissue to recover. That limited blood flow raises the risk of complications like poor wound closure, infection, and tissue damage.

Here’s what that can mean for your procedure:

• Slower wound healing: Your body needs oxygen to repair tissue, and smoking cuts off that supply.
• Higher risk of infection: Poor blood flow makes it harder for your body to fight off bacteria.
• Skin problems: In more serious cases, tissue can die or the skin can break down, especially where skin is lifted or tightened.
• Visible scarring: Lack of proper healing may lead to thicker or more noticeable scars.

These risks are even higher for surgeries like tummy tucks and breast procedures, where the skin is repositioned and depends heavily on good blood flow. 

Why Quitting Matters

Quitting before surgery isn’t always easy, but it’s one of the best ways to protect yourself from complications. Even stopping a few weeks ahead of time can improve circulation and give your body a better shot at healing. 

We always encourage patients to be honest about their smoking history so we can create the safest plan possible.

Schedule Your Consultation in Lone Tree, CO

Understanding how smoking affects plastic surgery is an important step in keeping yourself safe and protecting your results.

During a consultation at Park Meadows Cosmetic Surgery & Aesthetics in Lone Tree, CO, you can talk openly with our board-certified surgeons about your smoking habits and the procedures you’re considering. We’ll help you understand what changes can make your recovery smoother. 

Call 303-706-1100 to schedule your complimentary cosmetic consultation today.