BBL: How much fat cells does smoking kill?

The survival of fat cells depends upon nourishment from the body's blood supply.  This blood flow is restricted when breathing even secondary smoke.  At 6 weeks the fat that survives should be permanent, but smoking may compromise some portion.  This would be purely speculative, and I am not sure that anyone knows the answer.Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

The fat cells that are transferred, survive on the local blood supply and derive their nourishment from it over a period of time. Smoking directly affects this blood supply, and therefore interferes with the survival the fat. It would hamper the result to an extent.

Thanks for the question.  Unfortunately, no one can tell you how much fat you lose secondary to smoking.  What we can say is that the new fat cells must develop a new blood supply shortly after being transferred.  Smoking (even second hand smoke) effect the amount of oxygen delivered to the tissue.  The less oxygen, the more fat loss.Best to abstain from smoking for at least 5 days before surgery, and 2-4 weeks after.