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!

You should not smoke for at least a week prior to and 6 weeks after a breast lift and augmentation.  Results from a nicotine test should not be your major concern.  The complications and risks (delayed healing, fat necrosis, and blood clots among others) associated with smoking should motivate you to stop.Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

are done only when surgeon's are troubled by what their patient is saying about cessation of smoking prior to surgery and the risks it brings to the procedures, such as tummy tucks and facelifts.  So if you're not honest with your surgeon, let your surgeon know about your nicotine use and then your surgeon can decide if your risks are acceptable for surgery to proceed as scheduled.

If you were my patient, and you were signed up for that operation and I know you were smoking I would get a urine nicotine test the day of surgery and if it were positive I would cancel your operation. Smoking and all the procedures we do are 100% dependent on blood supply being perfect. Nicotine totally inhibits blood supply to your wounds and if you smoke while having these surgeries you are asking for tissue death including the nipple and areola which can lead to devastating deformities of the breasts. My patients must quit for 6 weeks prior to and after surgery. If they can't help me help themselves, then they do not get to have surgery by me. This topic is a big deal and you, the patient have no idea what you are asking for in complications when you continue to smoke before and after your surgery. What you do beyond that time period is up to you, but my job is to get patients to have a safe operation with an outstanding result. Smoking prevents that!

Nicotine tests are not necessarily routine. However, by asking this questions it appears that you may be a little bit guilty of violating the request from your doctor to stop smoking. Regardless if the test is done or not, by continuing to smoke you will only be hurting yourself - and it can be big time.If you are still smoking right before surgery, it would be to your benefit to inform your surgeon.Steven Turkelttaub, MD

Dear Mackyboy1,
Nicotine is only one of the ingredients that is found in cigarette smoke.You have a right to know what the results of any laboratory tests that you consent to.  So, I suggest ask your Doctor.
However of more importance is the scientifically proven detrimental effects of smoking on wound healing which can result in poor wound healing that can lead to infections, tissue necrosis (death, dehiscence of the incisions (opening of the incisions), poor scar quality, revision all surgery and a poor result.
Most Plastic surgeons recommend abstinence of smoking 2 weeks before and 6 weeks afterwards (the critical periods of early wound healing). I trust you have chosen a experienced Plastic Surgeon who is Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and ideally a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (denoting by membership as having met additional criteria and a focus on Cosmetic Plastic Surgery).
My best wishes,Dr. R. A. Hardesty, MD, FACSDiplomate and Certified by the Am. Bd. of Plastic Surgerywwww imagineplasticsurgery.comAwardee: RealSelf Top 1004646 Brockton AveRiverside, Calif 92506Office 951 686-7600Fax 951 369-9999