How high is the risk of infection/necrosis/other issues if I started smoking again before expanders to implant exchange? (Photo)

Question

Did not have any issues with expanders, and waiting for exchange to implants. BUT i started smoking again 3 months after mastectomy/ expanders placed , in expansion now, and up to a pack a day again. Worried what this will do to my outcome if I don't get my act together and quit now? Exchange will be about 6 to 8 weeks from May 31st. I told my doctor and he is concerned as is everyone around me. For some reason I don't feel the urgency to quit like I did when I was going to have Mastectomy. Fill me in.

Lewis Albert Andres, MD · Answer

Hello!  Thank you for your question!  The issue with nicotine is that it also acts as a vasoconstrictor, clamping down of blood vessels. Blood supply is always of great concern during any surgical procedure, but especially in such a procedure as breast surgery where the viability of the nipple-areolar complex is obviously important.  Since the vascularity to the area is already tenuous since it has already been compromised from the mastectomy itself, maximizing blood flow to the tissue is critical. Typically, we recommend at least 6 weeks of smoking cessation prior to any surgical procedure.  Nicotine always increases the risk for infection and wound complications, as well as other health consequences.  Putting smokers under general anesthesia also has serious implications due to your lungs.   I would discuss this with your surgeon prior to your procedure.  Hope that this helps!  Best wishes!

Peter A. Aldea, MD · Answer

The actions you take now will affect you for the rest of your life. Smoking results in spasm of most of the blood vessels in the body as well as in a greatly Reduced ability by red cells to deliver oxygen to the tissues. The result is wide scars at best but more likely tissue death, wound separation with implant exposure forcing their removal. How bad will it be? just how bad does it need to be to get you to take control of your life? If the prospect of a flat chest with ugly scars and ending up with COPD , prematurely aging skin, diseases in all the blood vessels of the body and gum disease with tooth losses  is appealing continue what you are doing. Please stop top while you can. Peyer Aldea MD

How high is the risk of infection/necrosis/other issues if I started smoking again before expanders to implant exchange? (Photo)

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How high is the risk of infection/necrosis/other issues if I started smoking again before expanders to implant exchange? (Photo)

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Everything you need to know about Breast Reconstruction

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.