When you and your surgeon meet for your consultation, one of the things that will come up in determining whether surgery is right for you is whether or not you smoke. This is because smoking increases the risk of complications after major surgery, and thus might make you ineligible for a given procedure.
But all might not be lost to those who have tasted tobacco – a new study shows that the risk of complications for people who were once smokers, but have been smoke-free for at least a year, is nearly the same as a non-smoker’s.
The study followed 125,000 current smokers, 78,000 former smokers, and 400,000 people who had never touched a cigarette, and kept track of complications in these groups, such as heart attack, pneumonia, blood clots, and death 30 days post-op. Current smokers showed a higher likelihood of fatal complications (17 per cent) than non-smokers, but those who quit a year before had about the same risk as non-smokers, according to the study’s findings. The study was limited, however, in that patients who were smoke-free for less than a year were not within its scope.
If you’re a smoker, and have considered plastic surgery before but were discouraged against it by your surgeon, this news could be just the push to help you quit. If you’re considering any kind of invasive surgery, or even non-invasive procedures like Botox, talk to your Washington DC plastic surgeon about your risk factors, and what you can do to help put out that butt forever.
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The surgeons at Belmont Plastic Surgery are here to help you take the next step on your aesthetic journey. Whether you want to restore what has been lost or improve upon what you already have, our surgeons will help you make the best possible choices for your care and deliver excellent results. Every day is an opportunity to live a more beautiful life. Seize your opportunity today with a consultation at Belmont Plastic Surgery.
5530 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 814, Chevy Chase MD 20815
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