So I just got a breast augmentation done 4 days ago. I'm a smoker, I've been smoking a pack a day for the last 10 years. My plastic surgeon never told me not to smoke before the surgery, so I smoked up until and an hour before it. After the surgery he told me not to smoke for 2 weeks, which I'm really struggling with already. So I looked online and everyone's saying not to smoke BEFORE surgery either. So I want to know how this will effect my healing since I didn't quit before.
September 23, 2016
Answer: Smoking Before/After Surgery Hello,Thank you for your question. I prefer that my BA patients avoid smoking 2 weeks before and after surgery, but I will only insist on that for longer surgeries. Each surgeon has their own preferred protocols. Taking this precaution reduces surgical risks and may help create a more successful treatment outcome. Cigarette smoke contains carbon monoxide that reduces the ability of the red blood cells in a smoker’s body from transporting oxygen throughout the body. The presence of carbon monoxide in the blood is reduced by half when no cigarettes are smoked for four hours and, better yet, is reduced to a safe level if cigarettes are avoided for eight hours. Stopping smoking before and after surgery helps oxygen to more effectively travel throughout the body, an essential tool in warding off infection and successful wound healing.All the best
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September 23, 2016
Answer: Smoking Before/After Surgery Hello,Thank you for your question. I prefer that my BA patients avoid smoking 2 weeks before and after surgery, but I will only insist on that for longer surgeries. Each surgeon has their own preferred protocols. Taking this precaution reduces surgical risks and may help create a more successful treatment outcome. Cigarette smoke contains carbon monoxide that reduces the ability of the red blood cells in a smoker’s body from transporting oxygen throughout the body. The presence of carbon monoxide in the blood is reduced by half when no cigarettes are smoked for four hours and, better yet, is reduced to a safe level if cigarettes are avoided for eight hours. Stopping smoking before and after surgery helps oxygen to more effectively travel throughout the body, an essential tool in warding off infection and successful wound healing.All the best
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September 23, 2016
Answer: Smoking and BA surgery Hello and thank you for your question. I have my patients avoid all forms of nicotine if not permanently, for at least 4 weeks prior to surgery. All amounts of nicotine found in E-Cigarettes, cigarettes or tobacco products should be avoided all together to decrease the risk of known surgical complications that these chemicals and their byproducts cause. Nicotine is bad enough for tissue healing and recovery, but there may be other toxins and chemicals in tobacco products that you will want to stay well clear of. Sincerely,Benjamin J. Cousins MD
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September 23, 2016
Answer: Smoking and BA surgery Hello and thank you for your question. I have my patients avoid all forms of nicotine if not permanently, for at least 4 weeks prior to surgery. All amounts of nicotine found in E-Cigarettes, cigarettes or tobacco products should be avoided all together to decrease the risk of known surgical complications that these chemicals and their byproducts cause. Nicotine is bad enough for tissue healing and recovery, but there may be other toxins and chemicals in tobacco products that you will want to stay well clear of. Sincerely,Benjamin J. Cousins MD
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