I Smoked 2 Ciggerettes and Had 2 Beers 9 Days After Surgery. Am I in Trouble?

asked 8 months ago by bobby1234 in Tucson, AZ
Latest answer by Alan Engler, MD
Question viewed 275 times
Tags: 1 week post-op, alcohol, cigarette, damage, smoking

9 answers to I Smoked 2 Ciggerettes and Had 2 Beers 9 Days After Surgery. Am I in Trouble?

Tummy Tuck - I Smoked 2 Ciggerettes and Had 2 Beers 9 Days After Surgery. Am I in Trouble?

Most likely you'll be fine - but it's not a good idea. And you should touch base with your plastic surgeon, just to be sure. Smoking tobacco (in fact, any use of tobacco products) is, of course, dangerous from many standpoints, and certainly with respect to plastic surgery including tummy tucks. This has to do with the harmful effects of tobacco on the blood flow to the flap, which is critical for healing. Use of tobacco in this manner significantly increases... more

Alan Engler, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Drinking and smoking after surgery.

Don't beat yourself up! Just try and do better in the immediate post op period. If a problem develops, see your doctor. We will help you through the problem. I appreciate your candidness.

H. Michael Roark, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Drinking and smoking after a tummy tuck

Well, you just spent a lot of money on a surgery you likely have been thinking about for a long time, and although I don't think you have caused any significant damage, you need to think about the potential repercussions of your actions. Impulse control can be difficult after surgery, but in order to get the best possible result after spending all of that money, you need to be more conscientious with your post-operative care.

Julio Garcia, MD
Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon

Smoking and drinking in postop period

No, it wasn't a good idea to drink those beers and especially to smoke those cigarettes in the immediate postopo period. Smoking and the effects of nicotine can negatively influence wound healing so, if your scar isn't to your liking, I'm sorry to say that you will assume the responsibility for it. I emphasize the negative effects of smoking in the prep consultation and hope that patients who spend significant amounts of money on cosmetic surgery will not undermine the result by... more

Robert L. Kraft, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Smoking and drinking so soon after a tummy tuck not a wise decision

It was definitely not a wise decision to smoke so soon after your surgery - and drink alcohol as well. You should follow the instructions of your surgeon to help minimize postoperative complications and not compromise the healing process. Smoking can impair healing resulting in loss (death) of some tissue. Even 2 cigarettes can do this ... so be more prudent!

Steven Turkeltaub, MD
Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon

www.turkeltaub.com

Smoking after surgery

Hello, Smoking after surgery can have a negative effect on healing. I would refrain from additinoal smoking as well as drinking alcohol. Stay well hydrated and follow your surgeons instructions. All the best, Dr Repta

Remus Repta, MD
Phoenix Plastic Surgeon

2 cigarettes and 2 beers 9 days after tummy tuck is both stupid and disrespectful.

You can cause damage to your incompletely-healed tummy skin or umbilicus with even 1 cigarette or even inhaling second-hand smoke! If the skin didn't die you were just plain lucky, because this can happen even in patients who use NO tobacco or nicotine products, though it is rare. In a smoker (yes, even 1 cigarette), the risk of skin death rises to as high as 15-20%. Not an exaggeration! Just because you drove fast without a seat belt and didn't kill yourself doesn't make it... more

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS
Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon

www.mpsmn.com

Post tummy tuck smoking and drinking

Thank you for the unusual question. No I do not think you have caused any harm with 2 cigarettes and a few beers. However, I would suggest you abstain from nicotine products for at least another month (preferably forever). I would suggest compliance with your plastic surgeon's recommendations in general. I hope this helps.

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

Cigarettes and surgery

Hopefully you did no damage. However it is possible that you can cause necrosis even 3 weeks or later after a tummy tuck by smoking even a single cigarette. Listen to your doctor and do not smoke at all till your surgeon says you can.