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.

 

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.

Great question and thank you for submitting this.  Smoking can have serious detrimental affects to abdominoplasty and breast enhancement procedures.  Smoking can lead to the following problems:• Risk of infection increases• Pneumonia• Tissue death/necrosis• Poor wound healing• Abnormal scarring• Bruising• Longer recovery• Decreased Blood circulationI hope this helps

Thank you for your question.  I recommend that all of my patients stop smoking and using any nicotine containing products at least 2-4 weeks before a breast augmentation procedure as there is no question that smoking and use of nicotine products adversely affects the healing process.  Because smoking causes vasoconstriction, it decreases the amount of oxygen in the blood, and decreases the amount of healthy blood traveling to the body tissues, smoking and use of nicotine can cause wound formation, poor healing, higher rates of capsular contracture, premature aging of the skin, and collagen break down, among many other complications and risks.  I would recommend discussing your smoking history and any current use of nicotine containing products with your operating surgeon.  I hope this helps and best of luck!

Thank you for your question. Smoking before or after your surgery can increase your risk of developing complications including infection and wound healing problems. I generally ask patients to stop a couple months ahead of surgery and then for a couple months after surgery.

You need to follow your surgeons advice regarding ceasing smoking before and after your surgery. If you are not able to stop smoking it is best for you to be upfront with your surgeon and postpone your surgery until you are able to comply. The complications associated with smoking and surgery are not to be taken lightly.

The reason we recommend that patients quit smoking prior to (and after) surgery is that smoking can interfere with anesthetic and with your healing. It can affect your circulation which puts you at risk for various complications. We always want our patients to have the safest surgery and recovery possible so that they end up with a beautiful, safe, and natural looking result. Since we know smoking can impede that, we ask patients to quit for at least 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after. 

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