What Are the Risks if I Stop Smoking for 3 Months Before Tummy Tuck and Breast Lift?

I have three beautiful children and love them dearly. I am really afraidI may die during surgery.I'm 38 years old. I have smoked for 20 years I know I have to stop smoking before surgery. I'm am 5'7 and weigh 174 pounds.

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12 Doctor Answers | Asked by angeladelana in Hartselle Alabama

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Risks of smoking before Tummy Tuck

I do not perform TT on smokers, in fact I make them quit smoking 1 month before. I have had 2 patients that lied and smoked up until surgery and developed large wounds after surgery. 1 month should be more than adequate to eliminate this risk. God luck!

Risks, smoking and tummy tucks

It is normal to be apprehensive before elective surgery. If you are healthy and stop smoking 1 to 2 weeks prior to and 1 to 2 weeks after surgery, your risks would be quite low for a tummy tuck. Make sure your plastic surgeon does your surgery in an accredited facility to lessen the chances of problems. Also, the more weight you lose prior to surgery, the bett your results and lower your chances of complications.

The longer the time between nicotine exposure and your surgery the better

Hi there- I think the best way to maximize your safety and your happiness is to keep it simple- the longer you can go without any nicotine (gums and patches are just as bad for healing as a cigarette), the better your healing will be and the lower your risks of a complication. My personal minimum os 3-4 weeks before surgery and 3-4 weeks after. Even with these guidelines, it is important to know that your risks of complications are always going to be higher than the risks to a... more

For better healing after tummy tuck, no cigarettes or nicotine patches for one month before tummy tuck and one month after.

Thank you for your question. For better healing after tummy tuck, no cigarettes or nicotine patches for one month before tummy tuck and one month after tummy tuck. If you can quit for that long, then maybe you can quick altogther. It is unlikely that you would "die during surgery." What is more likely is that you would get heart disease or other problems later in life from continued smoking. This would probably shorten you lifespan and make it so that you are unable to... more

Smoking cessation

Congratulations on kicking the habit. Many plastic surgeons refuse to operate on active smokers because they are at increased risk for healing problems which include incisions opening up, skin necrosis, fluid collections etc etc. For tummy tuck and breast lift procedures, I recommend smoking cessation for at least 4-6 weeks before and definitely after your procedure. Even with smoking cessation, you still will be a slight increased risk for slow healing. But kicking... more

Smoking and Body Contouring

Simply stated. You will have healing problems!! I will not perform these procedures on smokers. Smoking decreases the circulation which will lead to certain healing issues. Dr. ES

Smoking is bad for cosmetic surgery

Smoking is bad for wound healing after cosmetic surgery. So, if you have truly stopped for 3 months and you continue to refrain from smoking afterward your risks of complications are lowered. see video

Smoking and Tummy Tuck = Bad News/Bad Results

One of the major concerns during any lifting procedure, whether it be breast lift, tummy tuck, or facelift is blood supply to the tissues. The healing process and a successful result is dependent upon strong robust blood flow. Smoking, and nicotine specifically, constricts the blood vessels and decreases blood flow to the targeted areas. That is why nicotine patches and nicotine gum should also be avoided before and after the surgery. It takes these blood vessels time to expand back to... more

Concerned about safety of Tummy Tuck and Breast Lifting?

Thank you for the question. Good for you and your plan to stop smoking three months before tummy tuck and breast lifting surgery; doing so will certainly minimize the risks associated with the use of nicotine. Make sure you stay away from nicotine gum/patches as well. Given your long history of smoking and your concerns regarding the safety of the plan surgery, I would suggest that you obtain “medical clearance” for the procedure planned. Although this may... more

TT patients who smoke are at increased risk for wound complications

When a tummy tuck is done, the skin and fat is separated from the abdominal muscles. A lot of the blood supply to the abdominal skin comes from blood vessels that originate on along the lining of those muscles. Those vessels are divided during this procedure and the blood supply to the abdominal skin is therefore diminished. Now, add nicotine, which causes constriction of small blood vessels which further diminishes the blood supply to the abdominal skin. This double insult to... more

Stop smoking before tummy tuck.

Quitting smoking prior to significant surgery is one of the most important things you can do. I'm a realist as long as you stop smoking prior to surgery I'm happy. But be warned you can not cheat even once during the recovery process!! If you do, you set your self up for some nasty complications. Please also make sure that you get a medical clearance prior to surgery. Good luck and thank you for the question... more

Tummy tuck should be safe if you stop smoking for over a month.

Hi. Unfortunately, there is some permanent damage to your lungs from the long period of smoking. But the acute effects of nicotine and carbon monoxide should be gone in a month, and that's why surgery should be safe.