Saturday, January 16, 2016

Gynecomastia Surgery and Smoking: Beware

“How Smoking Jeopardizes the Gynecomastia Patient”

The results for gynecomastia or male breast reduction surgery are dependent on the skill of the surgeon, but also on the cooperation of the patient.

When a gynecomastia patient schedules surgery with Miguel Delgado, M.D., he is given a comprehensive information booklet that details pre-operative and post-operative instructions. If the patient wants the best possible surgical result, it is imperative that they follow all of the directions.Among the guidelines is the avoidance of all blood thinners. Blood thinners interfere with blood clotting and can cause complications during and after surgery. Blood thinners are found in many herbs, vitamins, supplements and some medications. Dr. Delgado will review all drugs, vitamins, and supplements that patients take to determine what is safe and what needs to be avoided temporarily.

In addition to blood thinners, smoking must be avoided before surgery can take place. The patient, at a minimum, must stop smoking two weeks prior and two weeks after their gynecomastia surgery, and hopefully longer or permanently. Smoking can cause complications that many patients may not be aware of.

Cigarette smoke contains over 250 toxins! In addition to nicotine, other toxins are; nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen cyanide, to name just a few. When the smoke is ingested, the blood vessels constrict impairing the ability of oxygenated blood to deliver important antibiotics and other medications. Blood flow to the capillaries and tissues are jeopardized which may result in cell death, known as necrosis. As the tissue becomes inflamed, it will require surgical excision or debridement. If debridement should become necessary, the esthetic outcome may be compromised.

In recent studies that have been done between the smoker and non-smoker surgery patient, smokers are shown to have a much higher likelihood of developing pneumonia, have a heart attack, stroke or cardiac arrest. Smokers may require more anesthesia and medication to control pain.

Pre-operative testing can show the presence of nicotine in the blood that would cause most Board Certified Plastic Surgeons to cancel surgery to assure the safety of the patient. For a patient not to reveal smoking habits to their surgeon could prove extremely dangerous.

Miguel Delgado, M.D. has helped many gynecomastia patients with their smoking habit by prescribing prescriptions such as Chantix so that they can proceed with their gynecomastia surgical goals.

Call Dr. Delgado (415) 898-4161 or email today for a gynecomastia consultation.