Effects of Smoking on Breast Augmentation Results?

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 nicotine products well in advance of breast augmentation with breast implants.  Many plastic surgeons recommend stopping all tobacco products several months prior to surgery.

Here is the reason why: the nicotine in cigarettes and other tobacco products (including Nicorette gum, patches, etc) is a vasoconstrictor, meaning it makes the Smoking is a significant multiplier of many potential complications following surgery and breast augmentation with implants are no exception. Nicotine from smoking causes blood vessels to vasoconstrict ( tighten up). Over time, these constricted arteries and capillaries deliver less blood to the breast tissue which is needed for normal healing. Smokers therefore have an increased incidence of higher likelihood of complications such as infection, and in particular capsular contracture (hardening and distortion of the implants). General complications of surgery such as blood clots, anesthetic problems such as pneumonia are also increased. 

A scientific article in the Archives of Internal Medicine indicated that, among all forms of surgery, quitting smoking eight weeks prior was never associated with an increased risk of complications.

In young patients you will probably statistically avoid these complications, why tempt fate by increasing your odds that something bad will happen.On a long term basis, smoking also causes accelerated aging of the skin and loss of elasticity. Hopefully these reasons will help give you the will power and courage to stop smoking.

 

Smoking increases the risks of all surgeries.  The most significant long term risk associated with smoking and implants is capsular contracture.

Thank you for your question.
First of all, not for only breast augmentation surgery, smoking before or after the surgery should be avoided.

Smoking damages the airway and makes it more difficult to clear secretions which increases the risk of a pulmonary infection.

I recommend to my patients that to be free of nicotine for at least 2 weeks days because nicotine constricts blood vessels which can delay wound healing.

It is recommended to not smoke for at least 2 weeks prior to surgery, as smoking increases surgical and anaesthetic risks and can lead to serious complications.

Thank you for your question.  Nicotine in tobacco smoke causes constriction of the very small blood vessels that supply oxygen, nutrients, and healing factors to all of the tissues in the body.  This results in delayed or compromised wound healing, as well as increased susceptibility to surgical wound infection.  It is the official stance of the the American Board of Plastic Surgery to refrain from performing elective cosmetic surgery on active smokers, for these reasons.  It is recommended that smokers stop all nicotine products for at least 4 weeks before and 4 weeks after elective surgery.

Hi & thank you for your question.It is best to be off cigarettes and any nicotine product 3 weeks pre and post surgery. Smoking interferes with the healing process and could cause complications. Great job on quitting so far! Best of luck.