Smoking before plastic surgery?

Hi there- The critical thing for you to understand is that your surgeon recommended this time period to you not because he or she did not want to operate on you, but because they are concerned for your safety, and they want to maximize the probability that you will achieve the great outcome and smooth recovery... more

I would echo Dr. Rand's thoughts.  There is no doubt that nicotine of any kind will inhibit your body's ability to heal, in particular a procedure such as a tummy tuck. You should take your doc's advice very seriously-- in may cases, once patients are forced to quit nicotine in order to have a procedure... more

Make a commitment to yourself to have the best possible outcome possible and don't skimp.  These surgeries are a big financial and emotional investment.  If you can't stop smoking, don't have surgery.  If you try and cheat, please don't blame your surgeon for any complications because he/she is... more

Your doctor is only trying to help you avoid a disastrous complication from your tummy tuck (not the augmentation).  When you are exposed to nicotine in any form (cigarettes, gums, patches, second hand smoke) your skin circulation is compromised such that doing a tummy tuck, beast lift or facelift can... more

    The by products of tobacco smoke undoubtedly cause a decrease in blodd flow in smaller blood vessels that are carrying oxygen, nutrients and antibiotics to your healing tissues. Although I have my patients stop smoking or have any exposure to any tobacco products for two weeks before most... more

2 weeks is probably enough time but most doctors allow a bit more time to allow the patient to commit to their non-smoking regimen. The nicotine and toxins are out of the system fairly quickly, but the desire to have a cigarette may not be.  Therefore a buffer zone is a good policy. Although there are... more