Is 15 Days Long Enough to Stop Smoking Before a Tummy Tuck or Should I Reschedule my Surgery?

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smoking cessation timing

15 Doctor Answers | Asked by Santapresent

Doctor Answers (15)
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When to stop smoking before a tummy tuck

Smoking has many negative aspects in regards to abdominoplasty. In addition to the wound effects, a chronic smokers cough could cause dehiscence of the fascial plication as well. As an adult, you are making a mature decision to undergo a major surgery. This surgery is very expensive from both a monetary and recovery standpoint. I assume that you want to get the best result ie. your money's worth, thus you should stop smoking at least six weeks prior to... more

Smoking and 15 Days Prior to Tummy Tuck

If you smoke 2 or 3 cigarettes a day, this period of time may be adequate to avoid complications. However, heavier smokers should have at least one month. Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Smoking Prior To Tummy Tuck

15 days pre-op is not enough time to quit smoking prior to a tummy tuck in my personal opinion. I recommend nicotine free a minimum of 4 weeks before and 6 weeks after. I would call my surgeon's office and reschedule as the complications that you are at risk for as a smoker are not worth it!

How Long Should I Stop Smoking Before Surgery?

Although there is no proven data about when stopping helps, I would recommend not smoking or using nicotine products for at least 6 weeks prior to surgery and 6 weeks after surgery. Smoking/nicotine constricts the oxygen in your blood supply which can lead to wound healing problems or necrosis which, in turn, can lead to an unappealing scar or disfigurement and ultimately costly corrective surgery. I realize smoking is a difficult habit to break but in the long run, quitting will... more

When Should Smoking Be Stopped Before Cosmetic Surgery?

Dear Santapresent, This is a discussion you should really have with your surgeon prior to your surgery. For a major procedure such as a tummy tuck, I prefer to have my patients stop ALL nicotine, which includes nicotine from smoking/patch/gum, etc. for at least 4 weeks before surgery. Admittedly, that number is rather arbitrary. But it is for the patient's safety. Nicotine can cause problems with wound healing and/or increase the chance of infection, etc. So I feel it's in... more

Smoking before Plastic Surgery

This is a question you should ask your surgeon as different surgeons have different policies. There is a no good answer. What is known is that smoking around the time of surgery puts you at risk for surgical complications including infections and wound healing problems which are not always easily solved if they occur. So, it is very important that you are completely honest with your surgeon about your smoking and if you really quit. Even one cigarette can have a... more

Smoking before tummy tuck.

In my opinion, you should reschedule. I require a minimal of 4 weeks of cessation of all nicotine products prior to surgery. 8 weeks is optimal. The risk of nicotine in your system at the time of surgery is great. The procedure requires separating the abdominal tissue from the abdominal wall and a significant amount of it's blood supply. Nicotine causes blood vessels to shrink, therefore decreasing the already reduced blood supply. This can lead to tissue... more

Smoking and Tummy Tucks

Good for you for seeing that you might get into trouble if you are a smoker. Cancel your surgery and do not reschedule until you are really and truly off nicotine of all forms. While 3 weeks is generally enough time to quit if you are a light smoker, my experience suggests that you really need to quit however long it takes until you think of yourself as a non-smoker. Surgery is stressful and you don't want to fall back on old habits and end up disfigured. There are enough... more

No Smoking Before a Tummy Tuck

I believe that performing a tummy tuck within 15 days of smoking is somewhat risky with respect to wound healing. The nicotine in a cigarette is a potent vasoconstrictor. This means that the skin at the incision may not get enough oxygen to heal properly. Although we can all appreciate that smoking is a really difficult habit to break, it is much safer to hold off on surgery until you can quit smoking for at least 4 weeks. I am sure your surgeon will appreciate your... more

How soon should I quit smoking prior to surgery?

I would love to say that 15 days is enough or not enough, but there is no study that tells you how long you must wait. I can tell you in my practice I usually suggest 4 weeks prior to an abdominoplasty. Sometimes a week less if the patient is younger with a shorter smoking history, the patient smokes only socially on weekends, and or the patient smokes 1 or 2 a day. I can only tell you that the longer you wait, the lower the risks. Smoking complications can be... more