During the rhinoplasty recovery stage, there are plenty of everyday things you will have to give up to heal and look your best. We’ve even talked about things like what to eat after rhinoplasty. Seemingly small changes can have big impacts on your healing process.
One habit many don’t think about is smoking after rhinoplasty. However, most rhinoplasty surgeons will give you specific instructions when it comes to post-rhinoplasty care and smoking. Here’s everything essential you need to know.
Smoking and rhinoplasty surgery
We can’t discuss smoking and rhinoplasty without covering the procedure itself. Any reputable plastic surgeon in Toronto, or elsewhere, will get you to quit any kind of smoking before the procedure. But did you ever wonder why?
Nicotine constricts blood vessels. This can complicate the procedure for your cosmetic surgeon. It’s for this reason you’ll normally be advised to cut down on smoking, vaping, or even chewing nicotine products for two weeks before the procedures.
Smoking after rhinoplasty surgery
The rule that nicotine constricts blood vessels holds true after your nose job just as it does during the procedure. The constriction of blood vessels could slow down or seriously impair the healing process post-op. In the most serious cases, it could even possibly cause a risk of infection, putting the results of the rhinoplasty and your health at risk. The smoke from many of these products is likely to not feel great on your sensitive nasal passages.
It’s for these reasons you should avoid any sort of nicotine product for at least two weeks during your rhinoplasty recovery. Smoking after rhinoplasty just isn’t worth the health risks it brings.
It’s also vital to note that if you do live with a smoker, you’ll want to avoid secondhand smoke as well. Pre-plan for how your recovery will progress if you do live with someone else who smokes.
What about vapes and marijuana?
You might be wondering about other smoked products. We’ve made it clear that the key issue here is the nicotine content, after all. Vaping is generally not a great idea, as many vapes contain nicotine in some amount.
Marijuana is an interesting case. Many rhinoplasty surgeons will recommend avoiding it like any other smoked product for two weeks after the procedure. Smoking after rhinoplasty isn’t just a problem for the nicotine — your nasal passages are going to be much more sensitive.
However, marijuana is also often used by many people as a pain reliever. Many also suggest that the same blood flow-improving properties that allow marijuana to treat glaucoma allow it to aid during rhinoplasty recovery as well.
While cannabinoids do act as an anti-inflammatory, you also have to be careful if your rhinoplasty surgeon is already giving you pain medication. Marijuana could interact in unforeseen ways with that medication. It’s probably best to forego marijuana for the two-week period after the procedure. Then, you could use it for more mild discomfort after you’re done with your regular medication.
Contact us to talk about rhinoplasty in Toronto
In the end, it’s always best to follow the recommendations of the experts when it comes to the recovery period of nose surgery. If you have any questions about Toronto plastic surgery, or specifically the rhinoplasty recovery process, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re happy to discuss smoking after rhinoplasty, eating after rhinoplasty, and all other concerns!