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Smoking Before Breast Augmentation Lead to Major Complications?

asked 2 years ago by boudalacy in leeds
Latest answer by Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS
Question viewed 2,289 times
Tags: breasts, female, complication, smoking

Hello, im having Breast Augmentation on Tuesday, November 17, 2009. I have smoked 10 cigarettes during the 2-week period, 4 in the past 6 days. Leading up to my surgery will this lead to major complications?

12 answers to Smoking Before Breast Augmentation Lead to Major Complications?

Smoking and breast implant surgery

Smoking prior to any plastic surgery procedure can lead to complications such as infection, poor scarring, capsular contracture (hard scar tissue) and wound healing problems, to list a few. It is recommended to stop smoking approximately 2-8 weeks before and 2-8 weeks after your elective surgical procedure. You should also avoid being around other people who smoke during the perioperative period (second hand smoke). If you have smoked the week leading up to your surgery, I would inform... more

William Bruno, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Smoking and surgery

In some studies, smoking leads to a 50% increase in the complication rate of almost any surgery. Breast augmentation although not as problematic as some other surgeries like tummy tucks or facelifts, can still have major complications from cigarette smoking.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Smoking and Breast Augmentation

Smoking increases risks for all surgery, but some more than others. With breast augmentation, the problems are more pulmonary than related to healing. I personally do not have a big problem performing BA in a smoker. I will not, on the other hand, perform tummy tucks, breast reductions, or facelifts in the usual fashion on active smokers.

John Whitt, MD
Louisville Plastic Surgeon

Smoking Before Surgery Increases Risk

Chances are that you will do fine, but the more nicotine you consume by smoking the more risk you put yourself in. Other factors also add up such as being overweight, on Birth Control Pills or hormones, or if you have a medical condition that causes hypercoagulation. Most experts unanimously agree that smoking increases the rate of breast augmentation surgical complications significantly. Just about all plastic surgeons strongly recommend women to stop smoking and all... more

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Don't smoke if you want a breast augmentation

Smoking is associated with necrosis of the skin, poor wound healing, unsightly scar formation---not to mention lung cancer. Be honest with yourself and with your plastic surgeon. If you are a smoker, consider a smoking cessation program and then reward yourself with the surgery that you've always wanted. Don't assume that you will be the patient who will escape these complications because nicotine is an equal opportunity punisher. Also, know that smoking is... more

Robert L. Kraft, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Smoking and surgery

Due to the increased ricks and healing concerns, I ask all of my patients to cease smoking at least 4 weeks prior to surgery. Hopefully, after the patient has quit for four weeks, they will become permanent non-smokers. The end goal is a safe and successful surgery. Best of luck!

Christine Sullivan, MD
Columbus Plastic Surgeon

Best to not smoke perioperatively. Don't use nicotine patches.

Smoking increases the cardio-pulmonary (heart-lung) rsik of your anesthetic and causes problems with healing of the tissues atter surgery. Best to stop as soon as possible before and not restart after surgery at least and not healing complete (6-8week after surgery). Don't nicotine replacements such as patches or gum as it will negatively impact healing.

Chen Lee, MD
Montreal Plastic Surgeon

Smoking is never good prior to elective, cosmetic surgery

There are varying degrees of smoking as well as a varying degrees of complications. To minimize complications from any surgery, especially elective plastic surgery, smoking is not recommended. This is not to say that smoking is an absolute contraindication to undergoing cosmetic surgery, but the best advice is not to smoke at all, or for at least three weeks prior to undergoing a procedure. After the surgery. It is best stay away from smoking for two months to allow the tissues to heal... more

Charles K. Lee, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

Stop smoking before Breast Augmentation

What foreseeable, potentially avoidable complications WOULD YOU be willing to accept? What complications do you consider minor? Smoking is associated with a fall in critical blood flow and delivery of oxygen to the tissues. Blood vessels in active OR passive smokers are usually in a state of spasm which makes smokers much more likely to have tissue death, wound separation and widening with poor scarring among other complications. I would STOP smoking if I were you.

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Smoking and breast augmentation

In general smoking is associated with a higher risk of complications with any surgery. With breast augmentation, there is a higher risk of delayed healing and capsular contracture (firm scarring around the implants). We usually ask patients to stop smoking completely for at least 3 weeks prior to and after any surgery. If this helps you to quit, it's all the better for you. Good luck, /nsn.

Nina S. Naidu, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Risk of smoking tobacco and plastic or cosmetic surgery

What do you consider major complications? A wider, redder, thicker wound? Coughing during the early postoperative period due to airway irritation. Increased risk of infection? Typically, breast augmentation is not dramatically effected by a smoking history. However, asking if the smoking will lead to major complications prior to any surgery is similar to asking if having 3 drinks and driving home is a smart idea. You may make it home and you may not but it does carry an increased risk of... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Smoking and surgery complications

I ask all of my patients to avoid exposure to any tobacco product for at least 2 weeks before and after surgery. This includes first, second or third hand smoke. The issue is that the by-products of tobacco smoke cause a decreased blood supply to the healing area making you at a higher risk for wound healing problems, infection, loss of tissue from decreased blood supply, etc. Some plastic surgeons will have more stringent rules and some will even perform a blood test to see if you have... more