Smoking is one of the most difficult habits for a person to quit. Most patients who consider plastic surgery are surprised to learn that smoking is a problem and increases surgical complications. According to a recent online article recent findings focusing on over 1 million women smokers found that they more than tripled their risk of dying early when compared with women who did not smoke. Between 1996 and 2001 scientist from the University of Oxford and United Kingdom surveyed and questioned women regarding to their smoking habits, medical history, and social status. 20% were smokers, the 52% had never smoked, and 28% were ex-smokers. Women were surveyed and questioned every two years throughout the study. The study lasted more than 12 years. During this time 66,000 participants passed away. Those who smoked throughout the study were three times as likely to die in the nine years that followed when compared to non-smokers in the study. Medical professionals agree that the sooner patients quit smoking the greater the likelihood that they will live longer. Dr. Seify explains to patients who are smokers that the risks of surgical complications are increased for those patients. Surgeries including facelift, breast lift, breast reduction, and brachioplasty are some of the surgeries with increased risk for smokers. While delayed wound healing is a major concern, the likelihood that scarring will heal with unattractive markings increases with smokers. Cosmetic surgery procedures that are primarily for lifting and tightening skin could heal poorly for smokers due to the tension that is required to hold the incision together. It is best if patients can quit smoking at least three weeks prior to surgery and a minimum of four weeks after surgery. Of course, the ideal situation would be for patients to quit smoking altogether after surgery. Patients who are considering cosmetic plastic surgery procedures are encouraged to contact Dr. Seify to see which plastic surgery procedures are right for them.
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Weight Loss After Effects
One of the most prevalent aftereffects is loose and lax excess skin that appears to hang off of the body. Few would dispute that this can be rather unattractive and for many can have a negative effect on what should be a positive accomplishment after losing a large amount of weight. For most patients the most troublesome areas are the abdomen, lower back, buttocks, and outer thighs. For these areas Dr. Seify may recommend a body lift. As an ASPS board-certified plastic surgeon, well experienced in reconstructive surgery the body lift is a procedure performed regularly by Dr. Seify. During the initial consultationWeight Loss and Plastic Surgery
Dr. Seify will assess if the patient is a good candidate for the procedure. It is critical that patients who are considering this procedure are at a stable body weight and are no longer losing weight. This allows Dr. Seify to make recommendations without concern for extreme weight fluctuations that may follow after having surgery. It is also critical that patients are in good health which includes blood pressure that is well controlled and patients who are non-smokers. Smoking can have an extremely negative effect especially after procedures like a body lift, abdominoplasty, or brachioplasty (arm lift). For patients who are smokers, Dr. Seify will require at the very minimum that they quit smoking at least two weeks prior to surgery and four weeks after surgery. Smokers can experience complications which include delayed wound healing and compromise tissues at the incision sites. It is important for patients to have realistic expectations concerning the body lift procedure after massive weight loss. While Dr. Seify will tighten the skin and there will be a dramatic difference, patients must understand that some residual redundant skin will remain once the recovery is complete. Most patients who have a post massive weight loss body lift our extremely satisfied with the results and tell Dr. Seify that their self-esteem and self-confidence has been greatly increased.