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Tummy Tuck Recovery and Necrosis Risk Due to Smoking?

I have a Tummy Tuck scheduled in 7 wks. I used to be a smoker for many years but now only smoke socially (10 a month if that). I smoked a few the other day and I am concerned about skin necrosis because of that and my history of smoking.

I am 34, very healthy, and in great shape. I have loose skin and separation of muscles from pregnancy. I am also wondering how the recovery is in comparison to c-section, I have had 2 (very easy). I will not smoke anymore but am concerned about my past and risks.

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age 25-34 necrosis female c-section muscle recovery risk smoking

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16 Doctor Answers | Asked by amo in orange county, ca

Doctor Answers (16)
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Smoking is Dangerous for Tummy Tuck Patients

First of all even a social or "occasional smoker" is still a smoker and this brings real risks to your surgery. Discuss your risk factors such as your smoking history candidly with your plastic surgeon and ask for his advice and recommendations. Most experts unanimously agree that smoking increases the risk of most surgical complications significantly. This especially applies to all lifting such as a tummy tuck procedure that you are scheduled to have done. Just about all... more

Tummy tuck hurts less than c section.

With your history, tummy tuck should be very safe. You don't smoke much, and you will not have smoked at all for seven weeks. You should recover quickly and well.

Smoking is a risk to tummy tuck

Smoking has long been recognised as a risk in tummy tuck, and does indeed lead to healing problems for an unfortunate few. The nicotine causes the skin to be robbed of oxygen, and constricts the small blood vessels to the skin. These two effects lead to breakdown of the incision, or can result in ulceration in the skin we can tissue necrosis. After such a big investment in your health and appearance you owe it to yourself to stop smoking at a minimum of two weeks before tummy tuck, and... more

Smoking and tummy tuck

I advise all my tummy tuck patients who are smokers to quit smoking for at least 6 weeks before and after surgery. Even patients who are only "light smokers" or "social smokers" are at significant risk of having complications such as wound healing problems, skin necrosis, poor scarring, etc. It's always better to be safe than sorry. I suggest you have an honest conversation with your plastic surgeon and wish you all the best!

Smoking and Tummy Tuck

Studies have shown that one cigarette can reduce the amount of oxygen in the tissues for up to 4 hours. With continued cigarette use you can imagine the deoxygenation that can occur. This effect does not diminish immediately after cessation of smoking. But take heart. The fact that you don't smoke regularly is a good thing. You're 7 weeks away from surgery so you should be fine. As long as your surgeon doesn't place too much pressure on the incision or do liposuction in the wrong... more

Stop smoking to lower risks with tummy tuck and other procedures

Dear Amo, You sound like a person who is otherwise a good candidate for abdominoplasty / tummy tuck, and would likely have a good experience and nice improvement. Most importantly, you recognize the importance of ceasing smoking (and nicotine products) at least 3-4 weeks prior to surgery. The other important factor is that you pick an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon. Your surgeon will likely adapt the technique used in order to reduce risks as well. Discuss the recovery with... more

Smoking and Tummy Tucks

Smoking will increase your risk of skin necrosis for any form of plastic surgery. Because most of our work is often at the level of the skin, or is at least somehow altering the tension on the skin (usually increasing it), we are very sensitive to smokers. In my practice I try not to operate on smokers. f the patient quit for 7 months, as is your case, then I don't consider them a smoker anymore You should be careful to not even so much as smell second hand smoke.. or wait until later in... more

Smoking and Tobacco use and risks of skin necrosis following abdominoplasty or tummy tuck surgery

I am not one to scare you but any history of smoking creates a higher risk of necrosis. Studies have shown that cessation of smoking for a minimum of 4 weeks prior to surgery can lower your risks but will not eliminate the risk. In one study EX-smokers still had a 50 fold higher risk of necrosis when compared to NON smokers. It is in your best interest to notify your surgeon of your habit. He/she may modify the procedure to lower the risk of complications. In some individuals, I have... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck complications from smoking

Nicotine will compromise the healing process and should be avoided for a minimum of 3 weeks before/ after surgery. This includes cigarettes as well as all nicotine products (including patches and gum). The lack of blood flow caused by nicotine can lead to skin necrosis and wound separation. The discomfort from tummy tuck surgery is well controlled with pain medication. Discomfort is improved once your drains are removed (usually 7-10 days following surgery). The discomfort associated with... more

Smoking and Tummy Tuck

Smoking (or the use of any nicotine containing product) reduces blood supply to all tissues throughout the body. It also affects the effectiveness of the cilia to remove foreign particles from the lung and bronchi. The latter increases your risks of developing pneumonia or having other lung problems. Since we reduce the blood supply of the abdominal skin with the surgery, adding smoking markedly increases the risks of wound healing problems and, also, loss of skin. Additionally, smoking... more

Smoking and Tummy Tuck

You need to be nicotine free for atleast 2 weeks, best if 4 weeks. You can not use any nicotine products, including patches and gum. I generally test the urine the day of surgery for any of my patients that have a history of smoking. If the test is positive the surgery is cancelled. Smoking causes serious complications in plastic surgery and needs to be avoided as mentioned above. Good luck.

No tummy tucks for current smokers

The issue with nicotine from any source is that it is a vasoconstrictor, meaning that it causes blood vessles to close and reduce the supply of oxygen to the tissues. With procedures such as tummy tucks, facelifts, and breast lifts, the skin is undermined so that it can be repositioned and then put on some stretch, which is the whole idea. Both of these cause a diminished blood flow so nicotine is snough to cut it off completely and the tissue dies. So quit now, no patches or gum, and... more

Smoking and skin necrosis

As long as you avoid all nicotine products including gums and patches for 4 weeks before and after surgery, your risk is as low as it can be for you - not down to that of a non-smoker but as low for you as possible.

Smoking and abdominoplasty

You should certainly ask your surgeon about this specifically and discuss your history frankly. The smoking history and the acute use of tobacco prior to surgery will increase your risk of complications. This includes pulmonary risks as well as local healing risks. You cannot do anything about your history but you can try to get off the tobacco immediately and certainly for at least the two weeks or so before your surgery. Your surgery may modify his treatment, be less aggressive in... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

4 reviews

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Smoking and tummy tucks

You should definitely stop smoking completely prior to your tummy tuck; most surgeons will not operate on active smokers. Even one cigarette a day has enough nicotine to affect your blood circulation, and it would be a shame to go through surgery only to have a complication which could have been prevented. The risks of scarring, skin loss, and poor wound healing all increase with smoking. In addition, smokers tend to have more secretions during anesthesia. If you stop completely now, you... more

Tobacco Consumption and Tummy Tuck Complications

There are few habits and drugs which have been keeping doctors and morticians as busy as Tobacco. (Alcohol is not even a close competitor). Nicotine has adverse effects on literally EVERY organ system in the body from the brain, heart, skin, blood vessels, lungs even sexual function. It has been shown that smokers have a poor blood supply due to chronic spasm. Oxygenated blood literally does not flow well through skin and ESPECIALLY skin which has been elevated and depends on being supplied... more