Breast augmentation is the most commonly requested cosmetic surgery in the UK today. As increasing numbers of models and stars have taken to having boob jobs over the years, the procedure has become more and more socially acceptable. Factor in the falling cost of breast enlargement surgery and rising standard of breast implants and it's not hard to see why many women are choosing to boost their confidence with this surgery.

Before deciding to take the plunge however it is worth taking into consideration whether you intend to continue smoking throughout the process. Although breast implant surgery is done for cosmetic reasons, it is still surgery performed under a general anaesthetic and as such carries with it the same risks. Smoking is a huge factor in effecting both the visible outcome and physical repercussions of cosmetic surgery and even on a fairly routine surgery such as breast enlargement , its effect on results can often be underestimated.

Those that smoke are already aware of the long term health implications of smoking, but may not be aware of the immediate effects and just how much it impacts on the way the body recovers. Carbon monoxide produced by cigarette smoke starves the body of oxygen while at the same time nicotine increases blood pressure and puts a greater demand on the body for it. This combination makes it much more difficult to heal post operatively and also effects how someone will react to anaesthetic.

Generally those who smoke will need a greater amount of anaesthetic to be put under and pulmonary complications can be up to six times higher after anaesthetic for those who smoke as opposed to those who do not. Stopping a minimum of four weeks prior to surgery and continuing to abstain for the same period of time or longer afterwards can dramatically reduce a patient's risk of infection, haematoma and capsular contraction.

Smoking can even effect how well the patient will scar post operatively. Nicotine prevents the right amount of oxygen and nutrients from being supplied to the blood vessels which means that the incision may not heal as well and the added risk of infection means greater scarring could occur. Although smoking is of less significance to those patients undergoing breast enlargement who are young and physically fit, there is still a chance that it can contribute to the outcome. For those who want the optimum results, it should be worth the sacrifice.