Smoking after breast augmentation. Will it affect my healing?

I would not perform cosmetic surgery on a patient that smokes. This will increase complications and will impair wound
healing. I would advise a patient stop smoking 6-8 weeks prior to any type of
cosmetic surgery. Not smoking will optimize wound healing, safety, and overall
long-term health.

Hello! Thank you for your question! The issue with nicotine is that it also acts as a vasoconstrictor, clamping down of blood vessels. Blood supply is always of great concern during any surgical procedure, but especially in such a procedure as breast surgery where the viability of the nipple-areolar complex is obviously important. Since the vascularity to the area is already tenuous since it will be raised by cutting around the area, maximizing blood flow to the tissue is critical. Typically, we recommend at least 6 weeks of smoking cessation prior to any surgical procedure. Nicotine always increases the risk for infection and wound complications, as well as other health consequences. This one cigarette will likely not impact vascularity, but I would discuss this with your surgeon prior to your procedure. Hope that this helps! Best wishes!