It is undeniable that marijuana use for recreational purposes is increasing in the US. California is among the several states that have legalized cannabis products in recent years. According to estimates, over 128 million Americans have used marijuana at least once in their lifetime. Approximately half of all Americans currently reside in a state where marijuana is legal and where goods like vape pens and CBD edibles are easily accessible, according to Pew Research.

It is widely held in the plastic surgery community that patients should avoid cannabis and CBD for at least two weeks prior to and following a procedure. Some doctors even go so far as to advise clients to avoid CBD and items made from marijuana for a month before surgery.

Why Surgeons Recommend Pausing Marijuana

For two weeks prior to and following surgery, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) recommends refraining from using cannabis and CBD. A whole month is what some surgeons advise. Here’s the reason:

• Effect on Anesthesia: Due to its ability to reduce anesthesia’s effectiveness, marijuana may necessitate greater dosages, which may result in difficulties. Additionally, marijuana can cause coughing and wheezing due to its effects on the lungs.
• Increased Discomfort: Utilizing marijuana may result in increased discomfort following surgery, necessitating the use of more potent painkillers.
• Increased Surgical Risks: During surgery, marijuana usage might raise blood pressure and heart rate, increasing the risk of cardiac issues.

CBD and Potential Issues

Despite being thought to be safe, CBD products are not regulated, may contain dangerous impurities, and have variable potencies. Fatigue and other side effects that impede healing can also be brought on by CBD. Additionally, it may result in bleeding following surgery.

How Will Marijuana Affect a Cosmetic Surgery Procedure?

When contemplating a plastic surgery procedure, it is worthwhile to inquire about how these effects will affect your eligibility for a safe procedure and a speedy recovery.

First and foremost, marijuana use can reduce anesthesia’s effectiveness. As such, you might need to utilize more anesthesia than would be required otherwise to provide a comfortable surgery. Cannabis use can raise the required dosage of anesthetic by as much as 50%, according to some medical professionals.

Additionally, using marijuana may make you feel more uncomfortable after your treatment. Consequently, this increases the demand for opioids and other potent drugs.

Additionally, using marijuana may make surgery more risky. The American Society of Anesthesiologists, for instance, states that smoking marijuana before surgery can significantly increase the risk of a heart-related incident by raising blood pressure and heart rate.

Conclusion

It is worthwhile to inquire about how these impacts will affect your eligibility for a safe procedure and a speedy recovery if you are thinking about having plastic surgery.

First and foremost, using marijuana can make anesthesia less effective. Therefore, you may need to utilize more anesthesia than would usually be required to ensure a comfortable treatment. According to some medical professionals, marijuana usage can result in a 50% increase in the amount of anesthetic required.

Additionally, using marijuana may make your post-procedure agony worse. Consequently, the demand for opioids and other potent drugs is increased.

Additionally, marijuana use may raise the risk of surgery. For instance, consuming marijuana prior to surgery can raise blood pressure and heart rate to the point where it significantly increases the risk of a heart-related incident, according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists.