Many patients are curious why they have specific bans before cosmetic surgery. To these and to all those who want to answer this question, I will try to provide them with as much information as possible so that patients understand the reasons why I as a physician advise them to avoid certain things before an aesthetic surgery.
For today I will review 5 of the most essential “bans” a patient has before an aesthetic surgery to get proper healing and optimal results. Read here.
Quitting Smoking / Reducing Cigarettes
Smoking affects peripheral vasculature, that is, small vessels – in the case of plastic surgery, causing changes in the skin and muscle vascular plexus. Circulatory changes in smoking are due to hypoxia – insufficient tissue oxygenation – and involve the formation of additional neovascularization networks associated with a spasm in existing vessels. These phenomena can lead to complications such as bleeding, hematoma, bruising, as well as healing and pathological scarring. Thus, due to the lack of adequate oxygenation of the skin, the postoperative wounds heal more slowly, or they can be treated with unsightly, red, apparent scars.
Also, the following should be considered in large smoker patients: both excessive smoking and abrupt reduction/cessation of smoking may cause coughing, which may lead to breakage of blood vessels from the operating area, which may produce complications such as hematoma or postoperative wound healing. Thus, in this type of patient, it is advisable to gradually reduce the number of cigarettes smoked over time and keep smoking to a minimum during the recovery period. There are a lot of websites like https://www.drkirman.com/bay-area-plastic-surgery where they advise you not to hide anything from your doctor. Make sure to inform your doctor even if it’s just a puff of cigarette because it may save your life.
Discontinuation of contraception
Many patients who are addressing the plastic surgeon are young and take contraception.These drugs influence the body on the hormonal level, also producing changes in tissue vasculature. Thus, the risk of both bleeding and post-operative bleeding is increased in patients receiving such treatment, and the healing process is altered due to hormonal changes that may interfere with the scarring process. Therefore, patients should discontinue birth control pills at least 20 days before surgery. Also, in view of this, you should not forget to use other methods of contraception to avoid an unwanted pregnancy.
Avoiding treatment with aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or antithrombotic drugs
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, Phenylbutazone, etc. can cause bleeding even at low doses: besides the fact that they can cause gastritis or ulcer in combination with postoperative stress, they also have anti-platelet aggregation, i.e. it does not let the platelets from the blood clot, thus affecting blood clotting. Therefore, the same complications listed above may occur: bleeding heavily discontinued, hematoma, wound dehiscence, and delay in healing or poor scarring. All the more serious these phenomena are in people who associate with these drugs smoking and contraceptives.
Additional resource: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/plastic-surgery/
Avoiding alcohol and drugs
The effects of alcohol and drugs on the healing process are not known precisely, but their ingestion may have undesirable effects during general anesthesia during surgery and patient waking. These substances are so-calledneuroexcitants, so they influence brain activity, interfering with the result of anesthetics. Thus, patients who regularly consume large amounts of alcohol require a much higher number of sedatives than other patients, which can lead to complications. Even banal cigarettes with hallucinogenic substances can cause problems.
So before aesthetic surgery, as well as before any surgery, avoid drinking alcohol or drugs for at least three weeks. If you still consume it, mention this to the anesthesiologist during the pre-anesthetic consultation.
Avoiding herbal remedies/supplements (herbal products, teas, powders, etc.)
Few people know that plants, herbs, and certain vegetables/spices widely used in food supplements or daily food can cause postoperative complications. Thiswas noticed a few years ago by Americans, and in the US there is a way for people to take many dietary supplements. Thus, a diet that frequently includes garlic,intensively consumed teas or natural pills can lead to bleeding, changes in healing, but can also influence the body during anesthesia. These effects are still being studied, and the ways of interacting with the processes of the body are not fully known at this time. However, it is advisable to stop administering these supplements/ teas/spices at least 2-3 weeks before surgery and tell your plastic surgeon. You can find online all you need to know.
The mammary implants have appeared for decades, but not everyone knows essential things about the procedure and its implications. There are two types of implants used today: silicone and saline. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, which you should talk to before with the esthetician surgeon. Saline implants are filled after they are inserted and can be increased or decreased after surgery.