Accidentally smoked 5 days before gynecomastia surgery. Do I have anything to worry about?

Question

I hadn't had a cigarette for 3 months and even before then I only occasionally smoked over the years, once a month. I'm having gynecomostia surgery in two days and I screwed up. On Saturday night I smoked a rolled cigarette. For no real reason, It completely slipped my mind that I couldn't. I live a healthy lifestyle in the country and work outside in the fresh air doing manual labour. Walk at least 1 hour a day, eat healthy. Do I have anything to worry about?

Ozge Ergun, MD · Answer

Thanks for the question. I suggest you should meet your Board Certified Surgeon to talk this situation. Because it's better to wait 6-8 weeks because your operation area trying to get healed. Then after yes, you can do smoke and drink. I wish you all the best.

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

Smoking may increase a chance of surgical complications and affect your #healing and the end result of your surgery. It's best to call your plastic #surgeon to better clarify. It's important to implement healthy lifestyle choices to not only prolong your surgical results, but most importantly, to reduce your risk of illness and disease which will impact your health. If you find it difficult to quit #smoking, speak to your physician who can provide information and programs that are properly designed to help you quit.

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

Most experts unanimously agree that smoking increases the rate of breast augmentation surgical complications significantly. Just about all plastic surgeons strongly recommend women to stop smoking and all nicotine products well in advance of breast augmentation with breast implants. Many plastic surgeons recommend stopping all tobacco products several months prior to surgery.Here is the reason why: the nicotine in cigarettes and other tobacco products (including Nicorette gum, patches, etc) is a vasoconstrictor, meaning it makes the Smoking is a significant multiplier of many potential complications following surgery and breast augmentation with implants are no exception. Nicotine from smoking causes blood vessels to vasoconstrict ( tighten up). Over time, these constricted arteries and capillaries deliver less blood to the breast tissue which is needed for normal healing. Smokers therefore have an increased incidence of higher likelihood of complications such as infection, and in particular capsular contracture (hardening and distortion of the implants). General complications of surgery such as blood clots, anesthetic problems such as pneumonia are also increased. A scientific article in the Archives of Internal Medicine indicated that, among all forms of surgery, quitting smoking eight weeks prior was never associated with an increased risk of complications.In young patients you will probably statistically avoid these complications, why tempt fate by increasing your odds that something bad will happen.On a long term basis, smoking also causes accelerated aging of the skin and loss of elasticity. Hopefully these reasons will help give you the will power and courage to stop smoking.

Derby Sang Caputo, MD · Answer

Hello,  thank you for sharing your doubts.  I suggest you to tell your PS that you smoked one cigarette 48 hrs prior surgery.  This issue shouldn't postpone your surgery but definitely it's something to have in mind on your post op follow up.

Kris M. Reddy, MD, FACS · Answer

Smoking slows and can possibly complicate the healing process. 1 slip will not prevent you from having the surgery. Let your surgeon know and he can guide you appropriately.

Accidentally smoked 5 days before gynecomastia surgery. Do I have anything to worry about?

Answers (5)

Answer: One cigarette.

Answer: One cigarette.

Answer: Smoking before gynecomastia

Answer: Smoking before gynecomastia

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Accidentally smoked 5 days before gynecomastia surgery. Do I have anything to worry about?

Answers (5)

Answer: One cigarette.

Answer: One cigarette.

Answer: Smoking before gynecomastia

Answer: Smoking before gynecomastia

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Gynecomastia Surgery

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