The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified the smoking epidemic as one of the greatest threats to public health we have ever faced. Worldwide, there are 1.3 billion smokers, and tobacco kills more than 8 million people each year. Of these, about 1.3 million are victims of passive smoking.
According to plastic surgeon and member of the Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery (SBCP), Humberto Pinto, smoking can also interfere with those planning to undergo plastic surgery. “Smokers may experience compromised blood circulation, which affects healing, as the nicotine in cigarettes causes constriction of blood vessels, reducing the amount of oxygen and nutrients that reach the surgical tissues,” explains the doctor.
Moreover, smoking before or after plastic surgery can increase the risk of infections and necrosis. “Diseases such as deep vein thrombosis are also associated with smoking, and this is terrible for post-surgery recovery,” states Humberto.
According to the surgeon, we always advise patients to adopt healthy habits before, during, and after surgery to assist in achieving a more effective result. “For those who do not think or cannot quit smoking, we suggest staying smoke-free for a period of 30 days for a good outcome,” clarifies the doctor.
Pulmonologist and sleep medicine specialist, Jessica Polese, also reminds us that tobacco is responsible for various chronic respiratory diseases, as well as lung cancer. “It causes overweight and obesity, which are risk factors for 13 types of cancer,” warns the doctor.
Participe da conversa