Apparently a lot of patients are asking that question. New findings in the Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery show that 40 percent of patients are no longer smoking daily 5 years after the surgery. And 20 percent have not smoked at all after 5 years.

The sense of renewal that comes with plastic surgery probably has a lot to do with this. And usually the cravings and other symptoms of smoking cessation start to ebb after a couple of weeks. That makes plastic surgery a good opportunity to make this major lifestyle change.

“If you do smoke and are considering plastic surgery, use your upcoming procedure as an incredible impetus to stop smoking for good,” says Dr. Rod J. Rohrich, editor of the Journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. “This will not only lead to better results, but it will actually allow you to live longer.”