Why Do I Have to Quit Smoking for Plastic Surgery?

Don’t worry. You’re human like the rest of us. It’s completely natural to picture the end result of plastic surgery more than the process. But without a healthy healing process, the end result may not be what you hoped for. That’s why quitting smoking, at least temporarily, is essential. The addictive ingredient in cigarettes–nicotine–can have detrimental effects on the body and can slow the healing process or even be life threatening post-surgery. Here’s what you need to know when considering a smoking-cessation plan for plastic surgery.

Nicotine Constricts the Blood Vessels

Certain surgery procedures can be even more affected by nicotine than others. For example, when getting a tummy tuck, surgeons must cut a portion of the blood supply from some tissue to move it from its original location to another for improving function, appearance, or sometimes both. Nicotine shrinks blood vessels, however, which limits the flow of blood to the area. This is counterproductive as it can cause destruction and death of the tissue as well as necrosis in some cases.

More Effects of Nicotine

The effects of nicotine don’t stop with blood flow restrictions. In addition to putting nicotine users at risk of oxygen shortage in the body, patients could also experience blood clots, and are at a much higher risk of developing an infection as well.

Smoking Cessation Timeline

Dr. Jane Rowley recommends her Lubbock plastic surgery patients stop all nicotine products (not just cigarettes) for six weeks before surgery and two to three weeks after to ensure they are getting the proper blood flow and oxygen needed to heal properly.

It may not be easy, but it’s worth it. If a nicotine-using patient is committed to stopping use for the required amount of time before and after surgery, then she will more likely see desirable results. Dr. Jane Rowley’s recommendations come from extensive medical training and board certification, as well as over two decades of medical practice, making her, the most experienced plastic surgeon in Lubbock. Call today for your no-obligation consultation to discuss your desired result and learn about the expert care you can expect from Rowley Plastic Surgery.

How Do I Know if I’m Doing Plastic Surgery for the Right Reasons?

Close your eyes and ask yourself two questions. “Why do I want plastic surgery?” and “What am I expecting from it?”

These two factors have just as much to do with how happy you’ll be with the results as your surgeon does. Perhaps even more. It’s important to examine the motivations for plastic surgery to make sure it’s the right choice for you. From larger procedures like a mommy makeover to smaller ones like submental liposuction, all can have profound effects on your life and shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Motivation

First, look at your motivations for getting surgery. Is it something you’ve always wanted for yourself, or is it something someone close to you has been pestering you about, but not something you’re interested in? If it’s the latter, you should think twice before proceeding. Drastic life changes should always be done because it’s something you want for yourself, not something someone else wants for you.

Expectations

At Lubbock-based Rowley Plastic Surgery, we want you to pursue plastic surgery for the right reasons so you’ll be happy and satisfied with your results; but that’s only half of the equation. Having proper expectations is also very important to your final satisfaction. Surgery can’t make you into a different person. If you expect perfection, you will be disappointed–no one is perfect, so welcome to the club! We can all improve. So, focus on progress and improvement, not perfection. The latter doesn’t exist.

These are just a couple reasons why the initial consultation is so important. From ear-pinning to a mommy makeover, each procedure and each patient are different and have different needs to be discussed. At Rowley Plastic Surgery, we offer no-obligation consultations, so we can get a good feel for your needs, motivations, and expectations. We can address any questions you might have about the surgery you’re interested in, and we can talk to you about realistic options. We will help you determine if a certain procedure is a good fit for you and if it isn’t, Dr. Rowley will tell you honestly and help find other solutions. Schedule a consultation today with the most experienced surgeon in Lubbock.

Take the Plastic Surgery Pop Quiz

Many people can describe the term ‘plastic surgery’ in their own words, but not everyone knows the terms of the various procedures that are available. Do you know the difference between submental liposuction and otoplasty? Test your plastic surgery knowledge here with this plastic surgery pop quiz.

1. What happens in a breast augmentation procedure?

A. Breast tissue is removed to make the breast smaller.

B. Breast skin is tightened and an implant may be inserted or tissue may be removed.

C. Implants are inserted into the breast to make it larger.

2.     What is the common name for blepharoplasty?

A. Face lift

B. Eyelid lift

C. Chin implant

3.     Which of the following is NOT a procedure that involves reducing ear prominence?

A.     Submental liposuction

B.     Ear pinning

C.    Otoplasty

4. Which of the following procedures does not require the removal of excess skin?

A. Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)

B. Brachioplasty (arm lift)

C. Liposuction (removal of fatty tissue)

Answers

1: C. Augmentation increases the size of the breast. Answer A refers to a breast reduction. Answer B refers to a breast lift. All these procedures are offered by Dr. Jane Rowley, and she is the only plastic surgeon in Lubbock offering “Ideal Implants,” a structured implant that combines the natural look and feel of silicon with the safety of saline.

2: B. This can be performed on the upper or lower eyelid, and both can be done at the same time. In this procedure, excess skin is removed from the eyelid. Liposuction may be done to eliminate any fatty deposits that may be in the way.

3: A. Ear pinning is the common name for otoplasty, a process that pins the ears back closer to the head. Submental liposuction is a procedure that reduces the fatty tissue under the chin and creates more definition in the chin and neck area.

4: C. Abdominoplasty is commonly known as a tummy tuck, and involves the removal of excess skin, and possibly liposuction of the hips. Brachioplasty is also known as an arm lift, and involves the removal and tightening of excess skin on the upper arms. Liposuction alone, however, is just the removal of fatty tissue.

How well did you do? Don’t worry if you don’t know all the answers; Dr. Jane Rowley does and specializes in each of these and more with unmatched expertise. If you are interested in one or more of these primary procedures, schedule a no-obligation consultation today.

Why Should I Look for a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon?

Selecting the right surgeon is key to your plastic surgery success. Whether it’s reconstructive or cosmetic, ear-pinning or a breast reduction, you want to make sure it’s done right by qualified surgeon. How do you know you’re selecting the best plastic surgeon for the job? Here are the two most important questions you can ask.

Are they board certified?

Licensing and board certification are not the same thing. While all medical doctors must be licensed to practice in the United States, board certification is voluntary and proves a surgeon passed rigorous testing, peer evaluation, and continuing education specific to their specialty. Lubbock patients should expect a doctor to not only be licensed but also board certified. This becomes even more important in the ever-changing medical field.

How much experience do they have?

Licenses and certifications, however, only get a surgeon so far. How much practice do they have in the field? How much experience doing the type of procedure you need? Nothing tops experience and Dr. Jane Rowley, who has more than two decades under her belt will be the first to tell you that. She is second only to her father in experienced surgeons in the Lubbock area. In addition to twenty years of practice, she went above and beyond in her training by completing an optional, full general-surgery residency, including a full year of surgical research and six months of training in the UK. Better training and more experience mean better results for her patients.

So regardless of what you are considering–a tummy tuck, breast augmentation, breast reduction, a face-life, or any other procedure–you deserve an experienced, board-certified surgeon to give you the best chance of achieving the results you want. Don’t settle for less. Dr. Jane Rowley is a solid choice for Lubbock patients. Call for a no-obligation consultation today.