Effects of Smoking on Breast Augmentation Results?

asked 3 years ago by waterfalls9580 in USA
Latest answer by Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS
Question viewed 7,464 times
Tags: smoking

What happens if you still smoke before Breast augmentation? What are the effects on the outcome of the breasts and can I ever smoke again? I've actually quitted in January and have maybe smoke 3 cigarettes since. I am hoping I could still get breast implants.

9 answers to Effects of Smoking on Breast Augmentation Results?

Smoking affects healing

There is no question that smoking affects healing adversely. Smoking decreases the amount of oxygen in the blood by increasing the carbon monoxide in the bloodstream and by vasoconstriction. There are many more complications with those who smoke and have breast implants such as complications of anesthesia (pneumonia and collapsed lung), so it is a good idea to quit at least 2 weeks prior to surgery. I have also noticed in my practice that many more women get capsular contractures (breast... more

Dan Mills, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

www.danmillsmd.com

Smoking Effects on Breast Augmentation

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... more

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Smoking and breast augmentation

Hello, Smoking can only have a negative impact on healing. With this said, if all else is ok with regards to your health, smoking will unlikley affect your recovery. If you want to be safe and get the best chance of perfect healing I would quit smoking before your surgery and hold off on smoking for at least 6 weeks after surgery. All the best, Dr Repta

Remus Repta, MD
Phoenix Plastic Surgeon

www.aaaplasticsurgery.com

Breast Implant Surgery and Smoking

Most plastic surgeons recommend that patients stop smoking at least 4 weeks before and after elective plastic surgery. Smoking has many deleterious effects on plastic surgery outcomes such as: 1. Decreased blood flow to healing tissues 2. Increased risk of would break down 3. Increased risk of would healing complications 4. Increased risk of wound infection 5. Poor scar quality I do not recommend that you continue to smoke... more

Jaime Perez MD
Tampa Plastic Surgeon

Smoking After Breast Augmentation

By and large, I do not think it is acceptable to smoke before any procedure. I don’t prefer to operate on anyone that smokes, certainly on any operative procedure where I am going to be undermining skin or tissue such as a facelift, breast augmentation, mastopexy, abdominoplasty. I do not operate on these patients. It also causes significant increase in complications and the patients’ healing is impaired. It is not a habit that promotes wellness.

Rod J. Rohrich, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Smoking hinders healing

I concur with my colleagues. Smoking will negatively effect your healing increasing your risks. I recommend remaining tobacco free for 2-4 weeks before surgery and after surgery.

C. Bob Basu, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

Smoking and breast implant ssurger

Not only can the smoking effect wound healing with a potentially higher rate of wound edge necrosis or breakdown, but it can also cause numeorous anesthtic related concerns.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Smoking decreases blood flow to healing tissues

I too ask my breast augmentation patients to refrain from any exposure (1st or 2nd hand) to tobacco products for at least 2 weeks before and after surgery as long as you are healing well. I tell this to all of my patients but I am not so naive to believe that everyone is completely truthful. Knowing that,I tell my patients that you have to take some responsibility as well for your healing and long-term results. I wish you well. Dr Edwards

Michael C. Edwards, MD
Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon

www.medwardsmd.com

Smoking and Breast Implants

The best recommendation is to stop smoking atleast 2 weeks before surgery and after surgery until everything is healed. Wound healing complication increase with smoking and smokers tend to have a higher capsular contracture rate. So it is in your own best interest to not smoke 2 weeks before your procedure. You should discuss this with the plastic surgeon that you choose to perform your surgery. Good luck.