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I Stopped Smoking a Week Ago, my Breast Lift Surgery is in 6 Weeks. What Are my Risks?

Hello, I'm currently 160 pounds/5'6. I just stopped smoking a week ago (5 years of smoking). And currently on a diet. I am planning on having a breast lift once I reach 143 pounds. I'm 28, & completly terrified of something bad happening during surgery. What are the chances of something bad happening, & what should I know before moving forward? Thnx!

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15 Doctor Answers | Asked by Terrie28

Doctor Answers (15)
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Smoking and breast lift surgery

Hi, the usual recommendation before any surgical procedures on smokers is to stop smoking at least 3 weeks before and 3 weeks after the surgery. different surgeons can have different recommendations but in general this is the minimum amount of time required to decrease your risk of complications down to normal or close to it.

Breast Lift and Smoking

The best available scientific evidence regarding smoking and skin flap survival (in the laboratory animal models) is 4 weeks. Whether 4 weeks is the magical time period to abstain from cigarettes (including nicotine patches) prior to surgery is difficult to quantify. If you continue to optimise your weight and also avoid nicotine in all its forms then you have done everything to ensure a safe operation. The rest is up to your surgeon and his/her staff. Hope this helps and good luck... more

I Stopped Smoking a Week Ago, my Breast Lift Surgery is in 6 Weeks

In all the lift procedures plastic surgeons perform, the blood supply to the lifted tissue is markedly diminished. Adding the strong decrease in blood flow caused by nicotine's constriction of small blood vessels, contributes to an unacceptable risk of wound healing complications. Seven weeks of no smoking should leave you near "normal" risk. Most important is the month or so after surgery. All the best.

Smoking realted complications

Thanks for your question and congratulations on your first week without smoking. If you continue to abstain for the next 4-6 weeks, I do not think you will experience any nicotine related complications. Good luck.

Smoking and Breast Lift Risks?

You should be congratulated on the steps you are taking prior to your breast lift operation. Achieving a long-term stable weight and avoidance of any nicotine products for at least 4 weeks prior to surgery will maximize the chances of a successful outcome. Nicotine is a powerful constrictor of blood vessels, decreasing blood flow to the “flaps” used during these procedures. This decrease blood flow could potentially lead to wound healing problems and/or tissue necrosis... more

Smoking can be disastrous in any type of surgical procedure

Dear Terrie, Thank you for your question. As long as you don't pick up another cigarette - you are good to go! And please, please abstain from smoking after your procedure as this can be equally disastrous! Best wishes, Dr. H

Smoking and breast lift

Thank you for the question, Surgeons differ on the timing to stop smoking before surgery. Usually 4-6weeks is considered a safe period. You to refrain from smoking for anther 4-6 week after surgery and if you can give it up, that will be another good thing for you beside weight loss.

Wait st least 6 weeks before you have surgery!

You should be really proud of yourself you stopped smoking before your surgery. Six weeks prior the surgery gives your body some time to cleanse from nicotine. The important thing is to continue to stay smoke free also after the surgery is done. It is important to refrain from smoking until your physician states it is safe to return, if desired. Patients who are currently smoking or using tobacco or nicotine products are always at greater risk for surgical complications of skin dying or... more

How long to quit smoking before breast lift surgery?

First of all, congratulations on approaching your surgery in such an active manner. Getting your weight to a good range and getting the toxins from smoking out of your system dramatically increases the odds of a good long term result. In terms of how long to quit before surgery, the longer the better. If you can manage an eight week preop smoke free period, this will be great. Your risks won't be the same as a non-smoker, but will be dramatically less than... more

Smoking and breast surgery

While it is a great goal to stop smoking prior to surgery, it can be difficult one to continue to honor after surgery. You may start to look like you're healing after a month and so but need to realize that healing takes at least six months for breast lift wounds to begin to mature. So, keep in mind that stopping smoking is a longer commitement than a couple of weeks before and a couple of weeks after surgery.

Smoking and Breast Surgery: Risky combination

Smoking and Breast Plastic Surgery: a Risky Combination: My experience is that the less you smoke the better and the longer you have stopped prior to surgery the better. A recent scientific article in the Archives of Internal Medicine indicated that, among all forms of surgery, quitting smoking eight weeks prior was never associated with an increased risk of complications. Three weeks is better than two, but 2 months would even be better. Most experts unanimously... more

Smoking and a breast lift

Smokers in general have a higher complication rate. It is best to stop at least 3-4 weeks prior to surgery and stay off cigarettes for several weeks after surgery as well.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

QUITTING SMOKING BEFORE BREAST LIFT

Thanks for your question! First, congratulations on quitting smoking. You will need to stay off all nicotine products for at least 6 weeks before the surgery and for 6 weeks after for the best results. Second, good luck with your dieting- you seem motivated and I am sure will successfully reach your goal weight! Third, spend time with you doctor and be honest with him/her about your past history of smoking. You deserve the best result and this... more

Don't start smoking again!

Congratulations for quiting nicotine and for losing the weight. You should not be terrified of anything happening to your skin if you have truly kicked nicotine. I assume you have not traded one nicotine for the other, however. This is the ingrediant in cigarettes that can severly harm your skin after surgery. It is a very potent agent that puts your blood vessels in spasm, just when you need them all to be wide open. If you are using the patch or gum as just... more

Smoking

Ask you surgeon for his recommendations. I have patients stop smoking for at least 4 weeks prior to surgery. Studies indicate your risk for post-op complications is roughly the same as a non-smoker when you have been free of any nicotine product for that time period.