Eye liposuction is a common plastic surgery procedure that mainly removes excess fat from the eyelids to improve eye swelling, puffiness, eye bags and other phenomena to achieve the purpose of a younger and clearer face. Although this surgery is minimally invasive, as a medical procedure involving skin, fat and tissue operations, preoperative preparation is extremely critical, especially the patient's lifestyle habits, such as smoking and drinking, which have a significant impact on surgical safety and postoperative recovery quality . Therefore, this article will explore from a medical perspective whether it is necessary to quit smoking and drinking before eye liposuction, and analyze the relevant physiological mechanisms and their clinical significance.
1. The relationship between smoking and eye liposuction surgery
It has been widely proven that smoking has a negative impact on surgical healing, especially in the field of plastic surgery. Nicotine, the main component of tobacco, can cause vasoconstriction, reduce tissue perfusion, and lead to insufficient oxygen supply to tissues, which directly affects the wound healing process . In addition, the intake of carbon monoxide will reduce the oxygen-carrying capacity of hemoglobin in the blood, aggravate local tissue hypoxia, and increase the risk of postoperative complications such as infection, wound dehiscence, scar hyperplasia and necrosis.
Studies have shown that smokers have a significantly higher chance of skin flap necrosis in the surgical area after eye plastic surgery than non-smokers , especially in the upper eyelid where the tissue structure is thinner and the blood supply is limited, which makes postoperative complications more likely. Clinical recommendations point out that smoking cessation should be done at least 2 to 4 weeks before surgery , and maintaining a smoke-free state for more than 4 weeks after surgery to ensure that blood flow returns to normal and improve tissue repair capacity.
2. The impact of drinking on eye liposuction surgery
Similar to smoking, drinking can also interfere with eye liposuction surgery, but its mechanism is slightly different. Alcohol's inhibitory effect on the nervous system can change the physiological parameters evaluated before surgery, such as blood pressure, heart rate, etc., affecting the dosage judgment and reaction prediction of anesthetic drugs . In addition, long-term drinkers are prone to impaired liver metabolic function, which in turn affects the metabolic clearance efficiency of intraoperative medications , and may lead to risks of drug accumulation, poisoning, or increased intraoperative bleeding.
More importantly, alcohol has an anticoagulant effect, which will delay platelet aggregation and increase the tendency of bleeding during and after surgery , thereby affecting the stability of the surgical area and the final recovery effect. Some studies have found that long-term drinkers are more likely to have congestion and hematoma after undergoing eye plastic surgery, and even require secondary intervention.
Therefore, it is recommended to abstain from alcohol for at least 1 to 2 weeks before surgery , and continue to avoid alcohol intake after surgery until the wound is completely healed and there is no local swelling or bruising.
3. Risks of smoking and drinking combined
Smoking and drinking often occur together. If the two coexist, their interference with surgical recovery will be additive or even synergistic . On the one hand, vasoconstriction and decreased blood oxygen jointly cause local ischemic damage; on the other hand, metabolic disorders of liver function and increased blood viscosity increase the risk of postoperative deep vein thrombosis or embolism. This combined effect can significantly increase the surgical risk index , prolong the postoperative recovery period, and even affect the final aesthetic effect.
IV. Clinical management recommendations for smoking and alcohol cessation
In order to optimize the effect and safety of surgery, plastic surgeons generally recommend that patients enter preoperative health management in advance. Specific measures include:
Preoperative evaluation stage:
①, 2. Ask the patient about his smoking and drinking history in detail;
②, 3. Conduct liver function and coagulation function tests on long-term drinkers;
③. 4. Conduct lung function assessment on heavy smokers to exclude the risk of chronic lung disease.
Behavioral intervention phase:
①, 6. It is recommended to quit smoking within 4 weeks before surgery to avoid passive smoking;
②, 7. Stop drinking alcohol 2 weeks before surgery ;
③ 8. Provide nicotine replacement therapy (such as gum, patches) and psychological support;
④. 9. If necessary, it is recommended that patients seek help from a professional smoking cessation clinic.
Postoperative health management:
①, 11. Continue to quit smoking and drinking;
②, 12. Maintain a good work and rest schedule and diet structure to promote wound repair;
③. 13. Regular follow-up visits to assess tissue recovery and risk of complications.
5. Patients’ right to know and the importance of preoperative education
In medical practice, some patients may not be fully aware of the intraoperative risks brought by smoking and drinking, or underestimate their adverse effects on the recovery period. Therefore, doctors should use various methods such as preoperative conversations, health manuals, and educational videos to clearly convey to patients the direct effects of smoking and drinking on postoperative complications, healing time, and postoperative satisfaction , so as to enhance their motivation to quit and improve their compliance with preoperative preparations.
At the same time, quitting smoking and drinking should be listed as a necessary condition in the preoperative informed consent form, reminding patients to cooperate with it and clarifying the relevant legal responsibilities for emergencies during surgery.
VI. International guidelines and standard recommendations
According to the latest guidelines of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the European Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ESPRAS), patients undergoing eye liposuction surgery are recommended to quit smoking for at least 4 weeks and alcohol for 2 weeks before surgery, and continue to quit for 4 to 6 weeks after surgery. In addition, many countries list smoking as one of the relative contraindications for plastic surgery, especially in eyelid reshaping surgery.
These guidelines are not only based on extensive clinical statistical data, but also reflect the current shift in the concept of plastic surgery from "technology-oriented" to "management-oriented", emphasizing improving the overall quality of treatment through preoperative behavior optimization.
Beauty Encyclopedia Tips:
Although eye liposuction is a minimally invasive cosmetic surgery, it does not mean that lifestyle management in preoperative preparation can be ignored. Quitting smoking and drinking is not only a guarantee of one's own surgical safety, but also a respect and support for the doctor's professional work. All patients undergoing eye liposuction should strictly follow the preoperative guidance on quitting smoking and drinking, and make all-round health adjustments in accordance with the doctor's orders to ensure safety during the operation and smooth recovery after the operation, and ultimately achieve the ideal cosmetic effect.