Before undergoing plastic surgery, whether it’s a breast lift or a tummy tuck, your Nashville plastic surgeon will provide you with a list of guidelines to follow in the weeks prior to your procedure. These directives are intended to put you in the best possible shape before going under the knife, so it is important that you follow them closely.

One of the most important instructions your plastic surgeon will give you is to steer clear of nicotine for at least two weeks prior to your procedure. If you’ve ever tried to give up smoking in the past, you’re probably well aware that this is no easy task. However, when you have chosen to invest in yourself by enhancing your figure, why sabotage your procedure by clinging to this harmful habit?

Smoking has been shown to slow healing and even lead to painful and potentially damaging conditions like necrosis, or skin death. This is because nicotine restricts blood flow throughout the body, preventing the surgery site from receiving the nourishment it needs to recover. Nicotine has also been associated with a greater risk of complications during and after a procedure.

With this is mind, it is absolutely vital to tell your plastic surgeon about this habit, or if you are often in environments where second-hand smoke is present. If you have more questions about this issue or anything else pertaining to cosmetic enhancements, don’t hesitate to contact the attentive staff at the Lett Center in Lebanon, Tennessee, for more information.