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Are There More Risks for a Former Smoker?

I'm 29 and want to have a breast lift with implants within the next few months. I am a former smoker (smoked for 9years) I quit 6 years ago. During my research I read somewhere that a former smoker may be more prone to complications then someone who has never smoked. Is this true? If so how much more of a risk is there for me?

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17 Doctor Answers | Asked by Jen5162

Doctor Answers (17)
Community Comments (0)

Former Smoker Having Breast Lift

If you quit smoking 6 years ago, you should not be at significantly increased risk for complications over a non-smoker with a breast lift. Good luck.

Breast lft in a Former Smoker

Congratulations for quiting 6 years ago. There should be no increased risk for you when compared to a non smoker.

Smoker

The medical jargon is that if you have quit within 3-4 weeks before surgery you are minimizing your risk. There are really so few healing problems with augmentation that this should be of no significance especially since the last smoke was 6 years ago. However the damage from cigarettes is permanent and you are not at the baseline level if you had never smoked

Risks for former smokers

Are there more risks for former smokers with breast lift? The risks of wound healing complications are present in former smokers, but only if they quit less than a month. If you quit more than 6 months, then your risk is probably the same as a non smoker. This is because the body is amazing at repairing itself if given the right conditions. I make my patients quit smoking 4 weeks before and 4 weeks after surgery and for the most part have had no problems with wound healing... more

Former Smoker and Risk for Breast Augmentation and Breast Lift

Having quit 6 years before the surgery, your risks of problems with the breast augmentation and breast lift should be close to that of an individual who has never smoked. Find a board certified plastic surgeon with ELITE credentials who performs hundreds of breast lifts and breast augmentations each year. Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Remote smoking history impact on breast surgery risk?

You quit smoking over 6 years ago. Bravo! You really should not have any problems. And definitely stay away from second-hand smoke too!

Smoking and Breast Surgery

After 6 years, I would not worry at all. I have my breast lift patients quit smoking one month before surgery. Straightforward augment patients quit one week prior. This has led to minimal increased risk in my patients.

Remote Smoker and Risks with Breast Lifting?

Unfortunately, there is no way to quantitate exactly how much more risk (if any) you are given your remote smoking history. It is very likely, given that you have been “nicotine free” for 6 years that you will be considered to have almost the same risk as a non-smoker, when it comes to complications around the time of breast lifting surgery. Best wishes.

Smoking and surgery

Great job. Smoking and surgery doesn't mix well at all, You have stopped for a significant period of time. You really should have no problems. see video

Smoking and surgery

Congratulations on having quit smoking. To answer your question, yes smokers and former smokers do have a higher risk of complications following surgery. This increased risk is primarily related to wound-healing complications since nicotine causes vasoconstriction -- you may see problems like skin necrosis, etc. However, since it has been over six years since you have quit smoking, your risks should be low. Definitely, discuss your concerns with your surgeon and good... more

Former smoker

While it is statistically true that ex-smokers have a higher risk of complications than never smokers, after 6 years of not smoking, I personally would have no problem performing your lift procedure, as I think your risk elevation related to your smoking history would be very small.

Smokers vs non-smokers and surgery

Smokers definitely have a higher risk of complications as compared to non-smokers. While former smokers have a much lower rate of complications as compared to smokers, they still have a slightly elevated risk as compared to people who have never smoked.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Yes, but only slightly at this point

Risks of every surgery are significantly increased in patients who are currently smoking. Once a patient stops smoking the risks drop dramatically each year as they get farther and farther away from their past history of smoking. After six years, for most patients, there is only a very slight increase in your risksand for most surgeries it should not be a problem.

Are There More Risks for a Former Smoker?

By six years your microvasculature has likely returned to near normal or normal. There are surgeons who prefer to do lifts and augmentations in stages, and in an ex-smoker you may be more likely to get that suggestion. All the best.

Smoking risks

A history of smoking does present certain risks if healing problems, particularly for certain procedure. The fact that you have not smoked for over six years has likely reduced your risks substantially. You should be able to have the procedure with no more risk than if you never smoked at all, but I'm not the surgeon and can't guarantee you of it.

Are There More Risks for a Former Smoker?

Congratulations on kicking your habit. Yes, your risk of healing complications is higher than it would have been had you never smoked. I believe the surgeon must be more conservative in planning procedures to avoid tissue loss in former smokers. Your main priority is to find an experienced aesthetic breast surgeon who can take you through the process safely. Good luck!

Implants in a former smoker

There is slightly increased risk for a former smoker, unfortunately, but it is great that you kicked the habit. Congratulations! I don't think this should prevent you from undergoing surgery but it is a great question to ask.