Smoking herbal (no nicotine, no tobacco) cigarettes okay before and after tummy tuck?

Question

Dustin L. Reid, MD · Answer

As long as there is no nicotine, I don't think this would be a big deal.  Smoking anything however, probably decreases the oxygen in your blood that is needed for ideal healing.  So all things considered, I would just stop it for a few days before surgery and a couple weeks after surgery...it's not worth the risk of delayed wound healing or a lesser outcome.  Either way, discuss it openly and carefully with your surgeon and his/her team.  Good luck.

Gary Lawton, MD, FACS · Answer

Smoke contains 4000 toxic substances.  The effects of each of these substances on the outcome of tummy tuck has not been studied individually.  The most important issues with cigarette smoke is the carbon monoxide, which compromises the oxygen delivery to the healing tissues, and the nicotine, which causes spasm of the blood vessels delivering blood to the healing wound.  Anything that compromises healing can lead to an increase risk of infection, wound separation, or tissue necrosis.  Clearly eliminating the smoke is important because of the carbon monoxide poisoning of the blood.  Eliminating nicotine is important as well.  It would be wise to stay away from nicotine and carbon monoxide until everything is completely healed.

Vishnu Rumalla, MD · Answer

You ask a good question.  You are right it is the nicotine in cigarettes, vaping, cigars, dip, chew, snuff, nicotine gums, and nicotine patches that causes vasoconstriction which can cause tissue loss and wound healing issues.  I do not know if the herbs would have any affect, please discuss with your surgeon and good luck.

Ashley Gordon, MD, FACS · Answer

Nicotine in any form causes vasoconstriction and delayed wound healing, so it MUST be avoided before and after a tummy tuck. But I would encourage you to review the herbs in the cigarettes with your surgeon.

Ven Erella, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. I do not know exact impact on healing. We definitely know nicotine has delayed wound healing affect. I recommend my clients not to smoke herald 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after TT. Please discuss this with your PS.

Smoking herbal (no nicotine, no tobacco) cigarettes okay before and after tummy tuck?

Answers (7)

Answer: Peri-operative smoking

Answer: Peri-operative smoking

Answer: Herbal cigarettes

Answer: Herbal cigarettes

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Smoking herbal (no nicotine, no tobacco) cigarettes okay before and after tummy tuck?

Answers (7)

Answer: Peri-operative smoking

Answer: Peri-operative smoking

Answer: Herbal cigarettes

Answer: Herbal cigarettes

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

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