Impact Of Alcohol And Recreational Drugs On Cosmetic Surgery

The decision to seek out cosmetic surgery is a big one. There is a lot to consider before making up your mind. While we know how important it is to ask ourselves the five W’s (who, what, when, why, and where) to comprehend the details of the procedure, it is equally important to understand that certain lifestyle changes will also be required. Some lifestyle choices can inhibit a surgery result, especially in the case of cosmetic surgeries. Before undergoing treatment, your aesthetic or cosmetic surgeon might ask you to prepare for the treatment to ensure maximum success and zero risk for the procedure. The same instructions apply to the recovery phase. That said, one of the most important things to do pre and post-treatment is to avoid the use of alcohol and other recreational drugs.

How Does Alcohol Affect Cosmetic Surgery?

For an enhanced outcome and the best post-op care, alcohol consumption must be avoided. Some of the most common side effects of consuming alcohol before and after a cosmetic operation include:

An Increased Need for Anesthetics

Alcohol can affect the dose of sedatives and anesthetics required during cosmetic surgery. Regular consumption of alcohol can damage your liver and in return, this can affect your body’s reaction to anesthesia.

Risk of Cardiac Events During Surgery

In the case of severe cosmetic procedures like liposuction or breast augmentation, the risk of heart problems and breathing issues increase due to alcohol consumption. This is because alcohol affects your blood pressure and causes irregular heartbeat.

More than Normal Postoperative Bleeding

After every surgery, the healing process is very crucial. Known as a powerful blood thinner, alcohol largely hinders the recovery process. While a small amount of bleeding from the incisions is considered normal, alcohol may cause more-than-usual postoperative bleeding.

Risk of Surgical Site Infections

Alcohol weakens the immune system and obstructs the immune cells to prevent your surgical wounds from any kind of infection. This does not just prolong the recovery phase but can also be painful and inconvenient for the patient.

How Do Recreational Drugs Affect Cosmetic Surgery?

The world has observed a precipitous rise in the use of recreational drugs. While we respect an average person’s preferences, we strictly disapprove of drug usage by cosmetic surgery patients before and after the procedure. Here’s why:

An Increased Need for Anesthetics

Like alcohol, recreational drugs can cause a patient to obtain an increased amount of anesthesia. Drugs like marijuana and ice meth affect the nervous system, resulting in the need for a higher sedative dosage.

Risk of Cardiac Events During Surgery

Drugs like cocaine and ecstasy share similar adverse effects on heart health as alcohol. They fluctuate blood pressure and weaken the heart muscles. This can lead to a slower heart rate and irregular breathing.

May cause Physical Deformities

Drugs like cocaine and meth can be notorious when it comes to cosmetic surgery. If consumed post-treatment, they can lead to unwanted cosmetic results and physical deformities like cocaine nose or meth mouth.

Painful Recovery Process

While certain drugs are used to relieve pain, psychoactive drugs like marijuana can do the exact opposite. Such drugs worsen pain on the incision site and make the recovery period unpleasant, resulting in the patient’s need for post-op medication.

Prepare For Your Procedure

Having good overall health is essential before and after surgery. It can make a world of a difference in the results of your cosmetic work. But consumption of alcohol and recreational drugs also influence the procedure. So keep your doctor well informed and follow their instructions.