Smoking and Breast Reduction?

My Breast Reduction + Lipo is scheduled for next week, but i JUST quit smoking (its only 6 days away). Do i HAVE to reschedule?? I really cant afford TO reschedule and i already have 2 weeks off work for recovery. I am so ashamed that i did not have better willpower to quit sooner. Thank you for your time :)

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13 Doctor Answers | Asked by TaraFF in Omaha, NE

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Smoking and Breast Reduction: a bad combination

The decision is a joint one up to you and your surgeon. I would contact your plastic surgeon as soon as possible and let him know truthfully. He will appreciate your honesty. Next a discussion over your specific increased risks in necessary before a decision is made. Other factors need to be considered and 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... more

Breast Reduction

To stop smoking is a difficulty but healthy accomplishment. Smoking definately causes healing problems and some surgeries are more at risk than others. Breast Reductions, Breast lifts, facelifts and tummy tucks are the most vulernable in my opinion. I request patients to stop smoking for one month preop and one month postop. Also it is important to refrain from nicotine gum or patches as these can put the same harmful substances into your bloodstream. You must... more

Best to come clean on smoking before breast reduction

It is difficulat to say how long to away from smoking before breast reduction surgery, though smoking may increase your risk of a complication healing afterward. Best thing is letting your surgeon know so that you can be scheduled appropriately.

Smoking and breast reduction complications

Thanks for your question, and good job quitting smoking, however you bring up an excellent point of debate, how long is long enough before major surgeries like a breast reduction to quit. My advice has always been 3-4 weeks before and 3-4 weeks after to reduce smoking related healing complications. Each surgeon uses different breast reduction techniques-some of which are more susceptible to the negative effects of nicotine. Please call your surgeon to discuss this important... more

Smoking and breast reduction

Glad to hear that you were able to quit smoking but sorry to hear that it has only been one week. I would recommend that you be honest with your plastic surgeon and speak with him/her regarding the smoking. While it may be inconvenient to reschedule surgery, it will be much more inconvenient to experience any of the post-operative complications associated with the use of nicotine -- nipple necrosis, wound breakdown, fat necrosis, etc. Any of these complications could... more

Rescheduling Breast Reduction Due To Smoking

It is better to endure the inconvenience of resheduling than to suffer a major or even a minor wound healing issue of your breast reduction. You will get over the former way before the latter. You need to discuss this with your plastic surgeon immediately.

Breast reduction and smoking

This is a discussion which you needed to have had with your surgeon at the time the surgery was scheduled. All smoking is bad in terms of scarring and wound necrosis, but the more you have smoked, the greater the risk. I agree with others that you are assuming risk by having the surgery now---and that you need to be forthright with your surgeon and take responsibility for the cancellation.

Talk to your Plastic Surgeon

What matters most at this point is you address this particular question with your plastic surgeon. Hoping that someone would say it will be fine, in this forum is not the right approach.

Smoking and breast reduction

Every surgeon will have his/her own policy on smoking restrictions and elective surgery. I personally would require at least 4 weeks of no smoking before a breast reduction. Rescheduling is less inconvenient than the possibility of dealing with wound healing issues. Although the chances are actually good that you could have the surgery without any problems, there really is no reason to increase your risk for an elective procedure.

Smoking 6 Days Before Breast Reduction

It is important to be honest and discuss this with your plastic surgeon as soon as possible. You have a much higher risk for serious complications by having a breast reduction at this time.

Breast Reduction and Smoking?

Only your plastic surgeon will be able to address your questions specifically. Do make sure that you put your “shame” aside and discuss the issues honestly; if in doubt always best to postpone surgery for the sake of safety. Best wishes.

Smoking is bad for reductions or lifts

You should tell your surgeon. If you have a wound issue or nipple slough (it turns black, dies, falls off due to necrosis) it's all on you. You need at least a couple of weeks smoke free (not a single cigarette) to reduce the risks of smoking. Why risk it?

Smoking interferes with wound healing...

Smoking decreases your wound healing potential due to decreasing the blood supply, particularly to the nipples. It is far better to be inconvenienced than to have major wound healing issues. Good luck!