Is 2.5 weeks enough time not smoking before a BBL?

Dear Peaceful297345,

every plastic surgeon has his own preoperative protocol which he recommends to his patients. I would suggest you to discuss this with your plastic surgeon.


Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Hello,
Thank you for your question and for being transparent about your recent nicotine use. While the general recommendation is to discontinue all nicotine products—including vaping—4 to 6 weeks prior to surgery due to their effects on vasoconstriction and wound healing, cessation for 2.5 weeks can still provide meaningful benefit, especially if there is full abstinence moving forward. Your surgeon’s assessment likely considered your overall health, the type of procedure being performed, and your current nicotine-free status. It’s important to remain completely nicotine-free both before and after surgery to support optimal healing, reduce the risk of complications such as skin necrosis or delayed wound healing, and ensure the best possible surgical outcome.

Good morning. Yes, if you've completely stopped vaping and your surgeon has confirmed that 2.5 weeks is sufficient, you can go ahead with surgery, as long as you remain nicotine-free before and after the procedure. However, the general recommendation is usually 4 to 6 weeks.

On the other hand, how often you smoked before and how long you've smoked also play a role. In some cases, depending on your lung health and medical history, your surgeon may consider it necessary to have you evaluated by a pulmonologist before surgery to ensure you're in optimal condition for a safe surgery. You can contact us at 829-554-6062 for all the recommendations regarding the surgery.