Is 0 nicotine vaping ok before Tummy Tuck?

Hello and thank you for your question.
In order to decrease the chances of having a complication associated with a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), cessation of all types of smoking is highly recommended. It is important for patients to understand that abdominoplasty carries in of itself a 30% risk of a complication. Adding any type of factors such as a BMI > 32, smoking, diabetes, and other medical conditions will further increase the risk substantially.
In terms of the use of a vaping device, nobody truly knows the contents of the liquid used in these devices and it is not worth taking the chance of having a complication that could end in hospitalization and a very costly process.
As a fully trained plastic surgeon, I always want to minimize my patients risks of having a complication after surgery. No one wants to undergo a completely elective, aesthetic operation, and end up having a complication. Therefore, I would recommend to discontinue all types of smoking a minimum of four weeks before and four weeks after any plastic surgical procedure.
Hope this helps answer your question. All the best!
Alex Zuriarrain, MD, Plastic Surgery

I personally would not have a problem with this although this is an issue that is debatable in our profession. You should carefully follow the advice of your surgeon.

We always counsel our patients that it is best to be off all substances if possible (except prescribed meds) to better predict how your body responds during and after surgery.  Although your vape may be nicotine free, we don't really know what other chemicals or substances are in there which may affect how your body responds to anesthesia or to healing.  We ask our patients to get off nicotine or smoking at least 1 month before surgery and 2 months afterwards.  For supplements, etc, we ask them to be off at least 2 weeks before.Congrats on the cold turkey with cigarettes--that's quite an accomplishment!  Best of luck on the rest of your journey!

Thank you for sharing your question and I hope your procedure goes well.  In general nicotine is the most offensive ingredient limiting blood flow to healing tissues but all smoking results in a decreased ability for blood to carry oxygen. I would inform your surgeon to garner their advice but would try and remove all smoking and vaping at this point.  Best wishes. 

Plastic surgeons differ on the response to this question.  I recommend to my patients a minimum of 4 weeks without nicotine prior to and after undergoing a tummy tuck.  Nicotine constricts blood vessels and prevents delivery of oxygen to the wound that requires good  blood flow to heal. Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

There are very minimal, if any negative side effects to the use of a vaporizer that his nicotine free, as long as it is free of other harmful substances as well. In my practice. I utilize a urine nicotine test to avoid unwanted complications. We did not test for any other drugs because our experience is that this is not necessary.

You need to stop smoking. It can damage your lungs and also your healing process, you will heal late or wrong, because you will have lack of oxygen in your body because you keep smoking. 

Most plastic surgeons recommend 4, if not 6 weeks nicotine free prior to surgery.  the true health issues regarding vaping remain unknown to date.

Great question. It's important that you discuss this with your plastic surgeon as everyone differs on this. Our research clearly proves increased risk of wound breakdown with smoking. (I require 6 weeks cigarette/vape free prior to cosmetic surgery) However, if you are now truly vaping nicotine free, and it is just water vapor essentially it is probably fine. It would be OK in my practice. Hope this helps.

Good question, but why take any chances, even if you claim to have a lengthy use of smoking over the years.  The risks of nicotine are so well known, and I strongly caution my patients about nicotine and smoking anything prior to surgery!  No smoking, no nicotine, no discussion about trying to break the rules for at least 4 weeks before and after the surgery!Good luck.Frank Rieger M.D.  Tampa Plastic Surgeon