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P. Craig Hobar, MD
4633 N. Central Expy, Suite 200, Dallas TX 75205 |972-566-3001

Smoking and Plastic Surgery

smoking and plastic surgery blog article

What are the risk factors associated with smoking and surgery?

Smoking can be detrimental to the body’s normal function, especially when healing after a surgery. Dr. Hobar recommends stopping smoking at LEAST 30 days prior to and 30 days after his procedures, especially those involving the face, breasts, and abdominal areas. Continuing to smoke can put you at a higher risk for serious complications during and after surgery including:

Smoking and Plastic Surgery

Why does smoking cause an increased risk with surgery?

Nicotine in tobacco (or any kind) constricts the small blood vessels that supply your skin and the underlying tissues with blood and other nutrients. The healing process is greatly impeded by any nicotine in the bloodstream because the surface vessels are not able to do the repair work that is required of them. The risk to successful healing is so great that for many cosmetic surgeries, patients are not to be exposed to nicotine prior to surgery. Please contact our office for additional information to help quit smoking prior to surgery. Please let us know if you have been exposed to nicotine through smoking, secondhand smoke, smokeless tobacco, or any nicotine replacement products.

What can I expect with quitting?

Within 24 hours: Most of the nicotine and carbon monoxide will be eliminated from your body and improve heart rate and oxygen levels within your blood
Within 1 week: Your lungs begin to recover and cells clear out excess mucus
Within 2 weeks: Your lungs and large airways begin to recover and become less sensitive to stimuli such as a breathing tube that will be placed during surgery. This will decrease risk of breathing difficulties with intubation.
Within 3 weeks: Your body’s repair process has improved and your ability to heal wounds has greatly increased
Within 4 weeks: The smaller airways in your lungs begin to improve and will continue to repair over the next several months
Within 6 weeks: Your lungs begin producing normal mucus amounts that will decrease breathing complications
Within 8 weeks: Your risk of lung complications is much lower than if you would have continued smoking. Your blood consistency will be improved and your heart rate will decrease. Your immune system and overall ability to heal surgical wounds will improve.

Why do I need to avoid smoke after surgery?

Being exposed to smoke after surgery increases your risk for adding extra stress to your heart, increasing your blood pressure, and reducing the amount of oxygen that travels to your blood and body tissues allowing healing.

Still need help?

National Alliance for Tobacco Cessation – “Become an EX” Program
The American Lung Association – “Freedom from Smoking” Program
The American Cancer Society 1-800-227-2345

If you have any questions regarding our practice policy on smoking or need additional information to quit please call 972-566-7300

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    Thank You!

    After 31 years, Dr. Hobar has retired from surgical practice to become a fulltime husband and grandfather (and maybe play a little softball).
    He is extrordinarily thankful to all of his patients who will give him lifetime memories to carry with him on this next phase of his journey.
    Dr. Hobar will remain actively involved with LEAP Global Missions which he founded with his wife in 1991 and which has provided free surgical care for nearly 10,000 patients worldwide.

    If you would like more information about LEAP Global Missions or make a contribution to their efforts, please click here. Dr. Hobaris referring patients to Dr. Evan Beale. Dr. Hobar has known and worked with Dr. Beale for many years and has the utmost faith and trust in him. According to Dr. Hobar: "Dr. Beale is an amazing surgeon, husband, father, colleague and leader in LEAP Global Missions. I will not only rely on him to provide the best possible care for my former patients but to also provide care for my family if we ever need it".

    Matthew 22:39