Should I Avoid Second Hand Smoke in a Casino 5 Days Before Breast Lift?

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 tell my patients that it is ideal to stop a couple months ahead of surgery and then for a couple months after surgery.  Second hand smoke is not as risky but can still increase the risk of complications.

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 mastopexy 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. Avoidance of even second hand smoke is wise. Nicotine always increases the risk for infection, nipple necrosis, and wound complications, as well as other health consequences. I would discuss this with your surgeon prior to your procedure. Hope that this helps! Best wishes!

Nicotine is such a potent vasoconstrictor that even minimal exposure (such as second-hand smoke) can cause blood vessels to narrow and blood flow to reduce significantly. While this is bad enough for anyone who is not having surgery, a breast lift requires that skin flaps be elevated surgically, compromising the blood flow that keeps the skin and nipple/areola complexes alive. The decrease in available blood flow is further worsened by swelling that occurs with any operation. Excessive cold (such as from an ice bag) can add another form of reduced circulation. Throw in some nicotine and you have a recipe for disaster!

BTW, nicotine gum, spray, or patches are equally bad for circulation, though these do not contain the carbon monoxide that cigarette smoke does! Chantix and Zyban are OK.

DO NOT be around second hand smoke 2 weeks before and after surgery, or until healed. Best wishes and speedy recovery!

Hi there-

Any nicotine at all (whether from cigarettes, gum, patches, or even someone else's cigarette) may compromise the blood flow to the skin of your breasts and therefore your safety and happiness with your result.

Avoid it at all costs- this is elective surgery, right? It doesn't make sense to do or allow anything that might lower your chances of being happy or increase your chances of a problem.

Absolutely!-- I have had patients several days after surgery  exposed to second hand smoke and develope incision healing problems. The longer you avoid smoke and nicotine prior to your surgery as well as after the procedure, the better off you will be with healing.

Thank you for the question.

Yes, avoidance of secondhand smoke (and all forms of nicotine) is necessary prior to undergoing breast lifting (or any other plastic surgical procedure that involves “flaps”  such as tummy tuck and face lifting surgery).

Nicotine is a powerful constrictor of blood vessels,  decreasing blood flow to the “flaps” used during these procedures. This decrease blood flow could potentially lead to wound healing problems and/or tissue necrosis.

Best wishes with your upcoming operation.

Cigarettes contain nicotine and emit carbon monoxide and a variety of other unhealthy chemicals.  Although second-hand smoke is not as bad as doing the smoking yourself, it's still not good.  You should avoid smoking of any kind for at least two weeks--and preferably four or more--prior to breast lift surgery.

Exposure to cigarettes increases your risk of wound healing problems, infection, poor scarring, poor circulation to the breast skin and nipple, breathing problems after surgery, and blood clots.  If you're going to take the time and money to undergo a completely elective procedure, why not stack the odds of success in your favor?

Although smoking is worse second hand smoke is bad as well prior to surgery do to the vasoconstrictive nature of the nicotine. You should avoid smoking and second hand smoke 4 weeks prior to surgery and 3 after surgery! Preferably not smoking at all!

 

 

 

Good Luck

It is best to avoid any contact with smoke, period. Second hand smoke while not as bad certainly can affect the healing.

Altho the risk is small, I would try to avoid it if at all possible.  Even second hand smoke can lead to the complications of nicotine.  The last thing you need from a cosmetic surgery is the complication of nipple areolar vascular compromise or delayed would healing.  Enjoy dinner and dancing instead and let him go to the casino with his friends.  You'll always be able to go after you're healed looking great!  Good luck, Dr. Schuster from Boca Raton.