Smoking affecting tummy tuck

Elizabeth S. Lee, MD answers: Effects of smoking on Tummy Tuck results?

Will smoking as little at 2 to 3 cigarettes a day have an effect on my Tummy tuck?


Elizabeth S. Lee, MD
1 month ago

Tummy tuck is an elective, in most cases non medically indicated surgery.  There are risks associated with any operation and we as surgeons try to do everything possible to make those risks as small as possible.  Smoking causes squeezing of the blood vessels. This decreases the blood flow to the healing tissues. Blood delivers oxygen and all the building blocks needed to heal the wound.  Without perfect blood flow, your wound healing is compromised.  You probably already know all the reasons you should not smoke.  Smoking unreasonably increases your risk of suffering complications from an otherwise elective surgery.  You and your surgeon will need to make the final decision, but I like to see all the cards stacked in favor of a problem free recovery. I would advise you to quit and to do it months before you have any surgery.

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