Will the doctor do a nicotine test on the day of surgery for a breast lift and augmentation?

Hello. It really depends on the surgeon. While I do not perform nicotine testing, I have many colleagues who do, and they will cancel surgery if you have nicotine in your system. I strongly urge you to quit smoking AT LEAST 2 weeks before and 2 weeks post surgery. Given the monetary investment you are making in having an elective cosmetic procedure, you owe it to yourself to get the best possible result. 

Thank you for your question.  Smoking is bad for you, it causes cancer, heart disease, strokes, etc.
From a Plastic Surgery standpoint, we see the effects of smoking everyday in our clinics.  Nicotine is a vasoconstrictor.  When you use nicotine, it constrict the vessels.  Oxygen and would healing cellular messengers can't get to the wound appropriately.  Wound healing needs all of this to mend the wound the best it can.  Wounds that are on tension are even more susceptible to falling apart and/or having poor scarring, (Facelift, Breast Lift, Tummy Tuck).  Some Plastic Surgeons will not do these procedures on those who smoke.  Best to quit smoking around the time of surgery, hopefully you won't find the need to pick up the habit again. If you quit, then you don't have to worry about the test.  Please speak with your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, as each one may have a different protocol. 
Jeffrey J. Roth, M.D. F.A.C.S.
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Las Vegas Plastic Surgery

Every doctor is different and has different rules.  Make sure your surgeon is a Double-Board Certified Plastic Surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS), a member of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS).Best,Dr. DesaiBeverly Hills Institute for Aesthetic Plastic SurgeryHarvard Educated, Beverly Hills & Miami Beach TrainedDouble Board-Certified Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

It's difficult to say whether they will do a nicotine test on the day of surgery. If surgeons are concerned that their patients are smoking and not telling them, then they may do a nicotine test on the day of surgery. Regardless, if you have been smoking before your procedure I would postpone your surgery and make sure that you are able to fully comply with your surgeon's recommendations. Smoking around the time of an elective breast lift with implants can lead to significant complications and some of them can be impossible to fix. Always follow your surgeon's advice when it comes to not smoking before the procedure.

Thank you for your question. If you are trying to cover up nicotine use prior to surgery, then you are hurting no one other than yourself. Regardless of whether or not your surgeon does a nicotine test, if you are using nicotine around the time of surgery, this will increase your risk of complications from surgery by over 200%! So if after surgery you end up with an infection, skin necrosis, open wounds, etc., do not blame your surgeon, blame yourself. If you want to smart and be safe, and are using nicotine, be honest with your surgeon and reschedule your surgery. Be safe!