Alcohol Consumption and Smoking After Cosmetic Breast Surgeries

As smoking increases the risk of complications in cosmetic breast surgeries, alcohol use before and after a cosmetic breast surgery may also have negative effects on recovery and may directly or indirectly affect the results as well.

Smokers are at a higher risk of rare, major complications during and after surgery. Cosmetic breast surgeries generally are quite safe procedures for healthy patients, but smokers are more at risk for a cardiac arrest, heart attack, stroke, and complications from anesthesia. Smoking increases inflammation and reduces the number of white blood cells, which are factors that increase these risks.

Smoking do not only adversely affect the operation itself, also the healing process afterwards as well. Smoking shrinks blood vessels, reduces blood circulation, and prevents oxygen from circulating efficiently in the body. This may lead to a delayed, poor recovery. It may also cause swelling, necrosi, and increased risk of infection. Smokers may be more prone to developing more scar tissue after a cosmetic breast surgery.

Although it is not as dangerous as smoking after a cosmetic breast surgery, alcohol consumption during the recovery period can be adverse effects and may affect healing for some reasons. Alcohol may interfere with the drugs that are prescribed to you. Because of its blood thinning effects, it can prevent proper healing and increase the risk of bleeding. It can also cause the body to retain fluids and thus increase swelling. As people who have cosmetic breast surgeries are impatient to see their final results immediately, intensive alcohol consumption after surgery may cause prolonged swelling.

Depending on your individual medical history and health conditions, there may be additional reasons to avoid smoking and drinking alcohol before and after your cosmetic breast surgery. You should discuss this with your doctor in detail. At least for the minimum periods that your doctor recommends, you should limit your smoking and alcohol intake before and after your surgery. For those who have a hard time quitting smoking, a cosmetic bresat surgery can be a nice excuse and motivation.