Here’s an interesting statistic for you. Most patients who ceased smoking in the lead up to a cosmetic surgery actually reduced their smoking for years after the surgery.
And almost one fourth of them hadn’t smoked since the surgery.
Is this some sort of voodoo, something to be explained away with statistics, or what?

Smoking Can Lead to Complications After Surgery

Doctors advise smokers to stop two weeks prior to surgery, because smoking drastically enhances the complication rate. Complication rates in smokers vs. nonsmokers is 24 percent vs. 14 percent. That’s an almost 100 percent increase of complications.
So it’s wise to stop smoking prior to surgery — even if 50 percent of those studied admit to having done it some before the surgery.
But what’s strange is that after the surgery, many of these smokers dropped the habit altogether.
It may be because doctors advised them specifically of the risks of smoking. Although these risks were mostly pertinent to the upcoming surgery, having it delivered in such a direct manner from a figure of authority regarding health may have subconsciously sent the message home in a way anti-smoking ads didn’t.
It could also be that simply the cessation of the habit for a short period of time helped build a longer term resilience that helped them quit, or reduce their smoking.
But is it that simple?

It Could Be the Type of Person Who Gets Cosmetic Surgery

One other explanation is that individuals who seek cosmetic surgery are simply more likely to followup on self-improvement.
That is to say, the types of individuals getting these surgeries are already motivated — and were more likely to quit smoking than the general population anyway.
Whatever the case, it’s certainly an interesting trend to note, and one that doctors would do well to continue to study.
If you want to know more, call Washingtonian Plastic Surgery today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Navin Singh.