Breast Implants for a Smoker?

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.

I always recommend that my patients stop smoking altogether, but my patients must be completely nicotine free for 4 weeks before and after surgery. I do not make exceptions for the type of surgery being performed. Every surgery requires wound healing, and it is scientifically proven that nicotine impairs wound healing. In my opinion, you are just asking for problems. 

Thank you for your question!  You can have a breast augmentation but I suggest you stop smoking 3 weeks before surgery and 4 weeks after.  Smoking after having any surgery is very risky and may cause complications! Best of luck!Dr Dhaval PatelDouble Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Chicago Hoffman Estates Oak Brook

Thank you for your question. Smoking before or after your surgery can increase your risk of developing complications including infection and wound healing problems. I generally ask patients to stop a couple months ahead of surgery and then for a couple months after surgery.

It is a good idea to stay away from cigarettes for at least 2 weeks after surgery, although it is better to stop for longer if possible to facilitate your recovery because you are at a higher risk of experiencing skin loss and poor wound healing.However, you should ask your surgeon for their advice, as they may have different guidelines.

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 a breast augmentation where the viability of the nipple-areolar complex is obviously important. Since the vascularity to the area is already tenuous with placement of the implant beneath, maximizing blood flow to the tissue is critical. Typically, we recommend at least 6 weeks of smoking cessation prior to and at least 6 weeks after any surgical procedure. The longer, the better. Nicotine always increases the risk for infection, nipple necrosis, and wound complications, as well as other health consequences. The most devastating consequence of infection, especially since an implantable prosthetic device is used, is increased. This along with wound healing and scarring. I would discuss this with your surgeon prior to your procedure. Hope that this helps! Best wishes!

It really depends if you need a lift. If you do, you will have to stop atleast 2 weeks before and until you are healed after. If it is just an augmentation only, you can get it done but I have found that capsular contracture rate for patients who smoke tends to be higher.

It's relatively common to perform breast augmentation in patients who smoke, though they are at an increased risk for wound healing complications. Given your age, however, it is entirely possible that you require a concomitant breast lift. It is not safe to perform this operation in a patient using tobacco products, as your risks of significant wound healing complications, including loss of skin and loss of the nipple and areola is signficantly higher.
Your best is to quit using all tobacco products and all products containing nicotine for at least 4 weeks prior to any breast surgery.
Hope this helps. Best of luck.

A breast augmentation can easily be performed in a smoker. However, this sets you up for a theoretical higher fate of complications including poor wound healing, unfavorable scars, adverse reaction to anesthesia, etc. However, if you were to consider a combined breast lift that would be an entirely different situation.

The wound healing process is inhibited in smokers. I think doing breast augmentation for active smokers is a reasonable practice, but of you need a breast lift to address breast sagginess, most plastic surgeons would not offer a breast lift to an active smoker. At your age, there is a fair chance that you may need a breast lift in addition to an augmentation. If you're going to the trouble of having surgery to enhance your appearance, why not do something that will help you live longer, look better and save money: stop smoking.