Which Habits Can Negatively Affect Aesthetic Surgery Results Before Surgery?
Habits before aesthetic surgery may affect not only surgical safety but also wound healing and the quality of the final appearance. Smoking and nicotine use, excessive alcohol consumption, failing to disclose medications or supplements to the doctor, attempting rapid weight loss, inadequate nutrition, and disregarding preoperative instructions may make the process more difficult. These habits do not mean that every patient will necessarily develop complications, but they may increase preventable risks.
Preparing for surgery is not simply a matter of being careful for a few days. The body’s ability to heal is influenced by the lifestyle maintained during the weeks before surgery. Therefore, the aim is not only to get the patient to the day of surgery, but to create conditions in which the tissues can heal safely. Which habits should be changed and when depends on the planned procedure, the medications being used, and the individual’s health status.
Why Do Smoking and Nicotine Impair Wound Healing?
Smoking and nicotine use are among the most important risk factors before aesthetic surgery. Nicotine in cigarette smoke may constrict blood vessels, while carbon monoxide may reduce the amount of oxygen delivered to the tissues. However, adequate blood circulation and oxygen are necessary for the operated skin and fat tissue to heal. Smoking may delay wound healing and increase the risk of infection and postoperative lung complications.
This issue is not limited to conventional cigarettes. Electronic cigarettes, nicotine gum, nicotine patches, and other nicotine-containing products should also be disclosed to the surgeon. Preserving adequate blood circulation is particularly important in procedures such as tummy tuck, breast lift, and facelift, where large areas of skin tissue are repositioned.
The period for which smoking should be stopped before surgery may vary according to the patient and the operation. For this reason, rather than following general timelines found online, patients should follow the schedule provided by their plastic surgeon and should not conceal nicotine use.
Why Is It Wrong to Underestimate Alcohol Consumption?
Regular or heavy alcohol consumption may affect the response to anaesthesia, liver function, fluid balance, and postoperative recovery. Alcohol use should always be disclosed to the anaesthesiologist because the amount and frequency of consumption may be important when planning anaesthesia.
Drinking a large amount of alcohol “one last time” immediately before surgery is not safe. On the other hand, suddenly stopping alcohol without medical guidance may also cause withdrawal problems in some individuals who regularly consume large amounts. For this reason, alcohol intake should be discussed honestly, and any reduction or cessation plan should be made together with the healthcare team.
What Problems Can Occur If Medications and Supplements Are Not Disclosed?
In addition to prescription medications, painkillers, herbal products, vitamins, sports supplements, weight-loss medications, and hormone-containing products should also be reported during the preoperative assessment. Some medications and supplements may increase bleeding, while others may interact with anaesthetic drugs. Plastic surgery preparation recommendations particularly emphasise caution regarding aspirin, certain anti-inflammatory medications, and herbal supplements.
The important point is that patients should not stop medications on their own. Abruptly discontinuing blood thinners, blood pressure medications, diabetes treatments, or psychiatric medications may cause serious problems. Decisions regarding which medications should be continued, adjusted, or temporarily stopped should be made by the surgeon, anaesthesiologist, and, when necessary, the relevant specialist.
The assumption that products marketed as “natural” are harmless may also be misleading. A herbal product may affect bleeding, blood pressure, or sedation. For this reason, bringing the product packaging or an up-to-date medication and supplement list to the consultation is safer than trying to remember every product name.
Can Rapid Weight Loss and Inadequate Nutrition Affect Recovery?
Starting a very low-calorie diet shortly before surgery in an attempt to look slimmer is not appropriate. Wound healing requires adequate energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals. Balanced nutrition and physical preparation before surgery are considered important factors supporting postoperative recovery.
Particularly before body contouring procedures, it is important to enter surgery at a sustainable and relatively stable weight. Rapid weight loss may cause muscle loss, fatigue, and nutritional deficiencies, while regaining weight after surgery may alter the body proportions created by the procedure.
If a new diet, intermittent fasting programme, or weight-loss medication is being considered before surgery, the surgeon should be informed. The aim is not to reach the lowest possible number on the scale, but to prepare the body for surgical stress. Certain weight-loss medications may also require specific consideration in relation to anaesthesia and preoperative fasting.
Can Excessive Exercise Be as Problematic as Inactivity?
Good general physical conditioning may support postoperative mobility and recovery. For this reason, remaining active in a way that is appropriate for the individual’s health before surgery may be beneficial.
However, unusually intense exercise as the operation approaches may cause injury, muscle soreness, or dehydration. Starting a new and demanding training programme a few days before surgery should not be considered preparation. The exercise routine should be compatible with the type of surgery and the individual’s health status. Rather than continuing to exercise despite pain, injury, or excessive fatigue, the body should be prepared in a balanced way.
Why Are Inadequate Sleep and an Irregular Daily Routine Important?
Consistently getting too little sleep, working under intense stress, and completely disrupting the daily routine during the days before surgery may make physical and psychological preparation more difficult. Adequate sleep alone does not prevent complications, but it may help the patient follow instructions correctly, arrive for surgery more rested, and manage the recovery plan more effectively.
Leaving postoperative preparations until the last day is another common mistake. Transportation home, a companion, medications, suitable clothing, and a comfortable recovery area should be arranged in advance. Safe recovery requires not only preparing the body for surgery but also organising everyday life.
Concealing Health Information Is One of the Riskiest Habits
Some patients may avoid disclosing smoking, medical conditions, medications, or previous anaesthesia problems because they are concerned that surgery may be postponed. However, this information is required not for the surgeon to judge the patient, but to assess risk accurately. Plastic surgery safety recommendations particularly emphasise the importance of fully disclosing medical conditions, previous operations, allergies, medications, supplements, alcohol, tobacco, and other substances.
If fever, cough, infection, a skin wound, or another change in general health develops close to the date of surgery, the healthcare team should be informed. Postponing the operation may be disappointing, but undergoing surgery under unsuitable conditions may create more serious problems.
Good Recovery Begins Before Surgery
The appearance achieved through aesthetic surgery is not determined solely by the technical procedures performed in the operating room. Tissue circulation, the patient’s general health, nutrition, substances being used, and adherence to instructions are also part of the process. Avoiding smoking and nicotine, discussing alcohol consumption openly, disclosing every medication and supplement, maintaining balanced nutrition, and planning daily life in advance may help reduce preventable risks.
The same preparation programme does not apply to every patient or every operation. The safest approach is not to make individual decisions based on general lists found online, but to follow the personalised instructions provided by the surgeon and anaesthesia team completely.
Physician Information
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sedat Tatar is a Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery specialist who is Double Board Certified by two international boards. He holds the titles of Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS) and Fellow of the European Board of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (FEBOPRAS).
His international professional memberships include ISAPS (International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery) and ASPS (American Society of Plastic Surgeons).
His clinic is located in Istanbul and is officially authorized by the Turkish Ministry of Health as a Health Tourism Center. His company is registered in the United Kingdom & Wales.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Telephone No : +90 (555) 100 10 83
Contact Link : [email protected]
Address : Levent District, Karanfil Araligi Street No: 18 Besiktas/ISTANBUL
