Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon San Francisco Blog

The main consideration if you smoke? Stop! There are many reasons to stop smoking, but since this is a cosmetic surgery blog, I'll just touch on the aesthetic reasons. If you look at your hand, you will notice a network of blood vessels just under the skin. Aside from the prominent vein that pops out of your forehead when you get angry, there are basically no veins or arteries crisscrossing your face. Blood is delivered to your face in dense capillary systems, which are small blood vessels, the smallest allowing only one blood cell at a time to pass through. Smoking hardens and shrinks blood vessels, especially the capillaries, and restricts blood flow to your face. This is what gives smokers that leathery appearance, leading many of them to consider a facelift in the first place.

After surgery you should refrain from smoking until you are fully healed. In some cases smokers who do not allow enough time end up with dead skin because the restricted blood flow. Other things to avoid before and after undergoing a facelift are herbal supplements and products, ibuprofen, and aspirin. Discontinue vitamins weeks before and after surgery to prevent any possible negative interactions with the healing process. Prescription medications should be continued unless otherwise specified by the surgeon. It is important to discuss your full medical history, including any prescriptions you are on with Dr. Weil. If you are considering a facelift, or any other cosmetic procedure, and would like to find out more, please contact Dr. Weil today to set up an initial consultation.