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.