Patients always want to know a simple and reliable way to find a doctor they can trust. Well, it is easy if you are a smoker. If you smoke, just ask your plastic surgeon if he will

perform an operation on you that relies on the blood supply to your skin (examples are facelift, tummy tuck, and breast reduction.) If he will, you should consider going elsewhere.

All plastic surgeons are aware that smoking can lead to horrible complications, such as delayed healing or even dead skin. This is true particularly in procedures that involve lifting up the patient's skin. Certain chemicals in cigarettes reduce skin blood flow, and are the cause of these problems. In fact, standard consent forms from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons clearly delineate these risks. Moreover, it is also well known that if a patient completely quits smoking for a few weeks, they can tremendously reduce their risk. So if your doctor is willing to do such a procedure on you while you are still smoking, it means he is not terribly concerned with your well-being and you are probably better off with a different plastic surgeon.

Smoking is generally contrary to cosmetic surgery. Patients seek plastic surgery to feel more youthful, and to be healthier and to be more attractive. Smoking is unattractive, publicly discouraged, and causes cancer and emphysema. As much as possible, a truly reputable plastic surgeon will use your desire to have plastic surgery to help you quit smoking. Choosing to have plastic surgery should also mean choosing a healthier lifestyle that involves proper diet, reasonable exercise and no smoking.