I have tried to research this question 1000 ways to Sunday with zero solid answers. Just a whole lot of dancing around the subject and information on nicotine being a vasoconstrictor (which I know) what I WANT to know.... Is it safe to vape using ZERO nicotine e-liquid? And by zero nicotine, I mean NO nicotine. Just the flavored liquid. Nicotine is the reason smoking and nicotine replacement is a big no-no ... So it stands to reason that using juice without nicotine should be safe?
Answer: Is "nicotine free" really nicotine free? As you have already stated, the preference is to cease all nicotine containing products prior to surgery (as the vasoconstrictive effects will inhibit healing). The concern is that the "nicotine free" label is a bit of a black box. Due to it's novelty, there is very little understanding, currently, as to what this exactly consists of. There is a myriad of chemicals in these alternative vapors and their surgical effects remain unknown.I would defer to the recommendations of your surgeon. In my practice, all nicotine containing products need to be stopped 6-12 weeks pre-op (including purported 0 Nicotine products)As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).
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CONTACT NOW Answer: Is "nicotine free" really nicotine free? As you have already stated, the preference is to cease all nicotine containing products prior to surgery (as the vasoconstrictive effects will inhibit healing). The concern is that the "nicotine free" label is a bit of a black box. Due to it's novelty, there is very little understanding, currently, as to what this exactly consists of. There is a myriad of chemicals in these alternative vapors and their surgical effects remain unknown.I would defer to the recommendations of your surgeon. In my practice, all nicotine containing products need to be stopped 6-12 weeks pre-op (including purported 0 Nicotine products)As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).
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CONTACT NOW September 10, 2017
Answer: Is ZERO nicotine vaping, ok before and after BA and TT? Thank you for your question. Different people will have different opinions on the matter. The nicotine is the problem, so likely a no-nicotine alternative will not present the same set of problems. But the bottom line is we just do not have any way to know or regulate what goes into the vaping liquids and so no one can assure you they are going to be safe. The only safe thing to do is abstain.Hope this helps!
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CONTACT NOW September 10, 2017
Answer: Is ZERO nicotine vaping, ok before and after BA and TT? Thank you for your question. Different people will have different opinions on the matter. The nicotine is the problem, so likely a no-nicotine alternative will not present the same set of problems. But the bottom line is we just do not have any way to know or regulate what goes into the vaping liquids and so no one can assure you they are going to be safe. The only safe thing to do is abstain.Hope this helps!
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September 9, 2017
Answer: Is ZERO nicotine vaping, ok before and after BA and TT? With all of your diligent research, you have not found a solid answer to your question. And you may find that plastic surgeons differ in their opinions regarding your question. Rather than take a chance with its affect upon your body’s ability to heal, increased risk of blood clots, and reaction with medications, I would ditch ZERO nicotine vaping.Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA
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Answer: Is ZERO nicotine vaping, ok before and after BA and TT? With all of your diligent research, you have not found a solid answer to your question. And you may find that plastic surgeons differ in their opinions regarding your question. Rather than take a chance with its affect upon your body’s ability to heal, increased risk of blood clots, and reaction with medications, I would ditch ZERO nicotine vaping.Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA
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October 16, 2018
Answer: Vape it is not “dangerous” to do zero nicotine vape. But it is dangerous to inhale unknown oils and substances into your lungs. It is unknown what effects the materials can have on your delicate tissues that are recognized delivery mechanisms to your heart, liver,brain and kidneys. Bottom line? Don’t vape, just the regular air is dangerous enough.
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October 16, 2018
Answer: Vape it is not “dangerous” to do zero nicotine vape. But it is dangerous to inhale unknown oils and substances into your lungs. It is unknown what effects the materials can have on your delicate tissues that are recognized delivery mechanisms to your heart, liver,brain and kidneys. Bottom line? Don’t vape, just the regular air is dangerous enough.
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August 5, 2021
Answer: Unfortunately all we can say at this point is just what you said - it stands to reason... As you are aware, Nicotine in any form - cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, gum, or e-cigarettes is bad for wound healing and since good plastic surgery depends on having nicely healed wounds, nicotine and plastic surgery really don't go well together. I have had multiple patients use nicotine-free vaping solutions as a bridge to stop smoking before their surgery and while I always encourage them to stop all of it prior to surgery, some have confessed after the fact that they kept using them. I can't say personally that I have seen any difference, while smokers who say they stop but don't have a greatly increased incidence of problems in my experience. However, please don't take this as an endorsement of vaping nicotine-free solutions before your surgery, because as you are finding out, no one really knows at this point and it is all conjecture. I also think that a lot of vaping stores may be selling solutions that if not outright containing nicotine when they are supposedly "nicotine-free" may have other chemicals in them with unknown effects on your surgery. A lot of what constitutes a a good surgical experience is purely in the feelings, and it's not a good feeling to have lingering doubts during your recovery that you are doing something you shouldn't be doing. It's just not worth the mental machinations - your mind should be focused on doing the things you are supposed to do in your recovery, not worrying about things you feel you shouldn't be doing. Regardless, best of luck and wishes for a good recovery in your upcoming procedures!
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August 5, 2021
Answer: Unfortunately all we can say at this point is just what you said - it stands to reason... As you are aware, Nicotine in any form - cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, gum, or e-cigarettes is bad for wound healing and since good plastic surgery depends on having nicely healed wounds, nicotine and plastic surgery really don't go well together. I have had multiple patients use nicotine-free vaping solutions as a bridge to stop smoking before their surgery and while I always encourage them to stop all of it prior to surgery, some have confessed after the fact that they kept using them. I can't say personally that I have seen any difference, while smokers who say they stop but don't have a greatly increased incidence of problems in my experience. However, please don't take this as an endorsement of vaping nicotine-free solutions before your surgery, because as you are finding out, no one really knows at this point and it is all conjecture. I also think that a lot of vaping stores may be selling solutions that if not outright containing nicotine when they are supposedly "nicotine-free" may have other chemicals in them with unknown effects on your surgery. A lot of what constitutes a a good surgical experience is purely in the feelings, and it's not a good feeling to have lingering doubts during your recovery that you are doing something you shouldn't be doing. It's just not worth the mental machinations - your mind should be focused on doing the things you are supposed to do in your recovery, not worrying about things you feel you shouldn't be doing. Regardless, best of luck and wishes for a good recovery in your upcoming procedures!
Helpful 11 people found this helpful