Introduction: A Common Misconception
As marijuana becomes increasingly legalized and socially accepted, many patients underestimate its impact on medical procedures—including plastic surgery. Whether you’re preparing for a facelift, liposuction, or breast augmentation, marijuana use can quietly sabotage your results, delay healing, and increase your risk of complications.
If you’re considering elective surgery, understanding how marijuana affects your body is essential to ensure a safe, smooth recovery and optimal results.
The Science: How Marijuana Interferes with Surgical Outcomes
While cannabis has some therapeutic benefits in specific medical settings, its effects on anesthesia, the cardiovascular system, immune response, and tissue oxygenation can be harmful in the context of surgery.
- Impaired Oxygen Delivery and Healing
Marijuana—especially when smoked—delivers carbon monoxide into the bloodstream. This toxic gas binds to hemoglobin more readily than oxygen, reducing the amount of oxygen available to tissues during and after surgery.
• Result: Poor wound healing, increased risk of necrosis (tissue death), and delayed recovery.
• Mechanism: Hypoxia leads to impaired fibroblast function and collagen synthesis—both critical for wound closure and scar formation. - Increased Bleeding Risk
Marijuana can inhibit platelet aggregation, particularly when combined with other substances like alcohol or aspirin.
• Result: More bruising, hematomas, and potential internal bleeding during or after surgery.
• Mechanism: THC and CBD affect platelet activation, potentially reducing clotting capacity when the body needs it most. - Unpredictable Reactions with Anesthesia
Cannabis users often require higher doses of anesthesia and pain medication due to receptor desensitization. But this isn’t predictable or consistent.
• Result: Increased risk of complications under anesthesia or postoperative pain that’s difficult to control.
• Mechanism: THC interacts with CB1 receptors in the central nervous system, modulating sensitivity to anesthetics and opioids. - Heart and Lung Complications
Smoking marijuana increases heart rate and can cause fluctuations in blood pressure. It also causes irritation of the airway, similar to tobacco.
• Result: Elevated risk of heart rhythm abnormalities and respiratory complications during surgery.
• Mechanism: THC induces sympathetic nervous system activation and increases myocardial oxygen demand—dangerous in any surgical setting. - Suppressed Immune Response
Chronic marijuana use has been shown to suppress immune function and delay cellular repair mechanisms.
• Result: Increased infection risk, slower wound healing, and a higher chance of poor scar formation.
• Mechanism: THC affects cytokine production and leukocyte function, both essential for immune defense and tissue repair.
What Surgeons Recommend: Stop Before You Cut
Most plastic surgeons—especially those who incorporate regenerative and holistic strategies—recommend patients stop using marijuana at least 2-4 weeks before surgery and wait until full recovery before resuming use.
This includes smoking, vaping, edibles, or topical cannabis products.
Bottom Line: Marijuana Is Not Risk-Free When It Comes to Surgery
Even if you use marijuana regularly, it’s critical to disclose it to your plastic surgeon. The goal isn’t judgment—it’s safety. By understanding how marijuana affects the healing process, anesthesia, and blood flow, you empower yourself to make decisions that protect your investment in your body and well-being.
Final Word from Dr. JC Alvarez
“Optimizing surgical outcomes isn’t just about technique—it’s about physiology. If your body isn’t ready to heal, even the best surgical plan can fall short. Marijuana is one of those hidden factors patients often overlook, but its impact on tissue oxygenation and healing is real—and preventable.”
