Breast augmentation next week & quit vaping today, am I more at risk?

Question

Next week i have a surgery (breast augmentation).doctor told me 6 weeks before you shouldnt be smoking including vaping. I am a non smoker never been addicted to smoking(just a few) But i am vaping cause i just like the flavour,boredom etc. I didnt listen to my doctors advice and just quit vaping today. Now i regret it thinking how it will affect my surgery and complications. Am i more at risk, As smokers body is already used to nicotine and there body may not be sensitive as mine?

Brian K. Reedy, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question! You should really be directing this question to your specific doctor's office. It's important to keep them informed! I don't think it will be an issue, but you should let them know. Good luck!

Stephen T. Greenberg, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.  I always recommend patients to quit any form of smoking or vaping 4-6 weeks before surgery.  Smokers tend to have higher chances of wound issues and scarring issues.  I would suggest speaking with your Surgeon and following their protocol.  Best of luck to you.

I. Nick Vial, MD · Answer

I advise patients to not smoke 1 month before and 1 month after surgery. You are at risk for complications with smoking. Most of all, you want to have a trusting relationship with your doctor. They can help you more if they know you are smoking.

Derek Fletcher, MD · Answer

Nicotine (no matter how it is ingested ex. smoking, chew, vaping, gum, patches etc.) increases the risk of delayed healing and open wounds due to the effects of nicotine and its metabolites on the capacity of our tissues to heal on time. I discuss the critical importance of nicotine cessation 6 weeks prior to surgery with all of my patients. I test for nicotine on the day of surgery. For some procedures, it is not safe to proceed with the operation if nicotine is on board and I cancel the surgery. For other procedures that are known to be more tolerant of nicotine, I have a frank discussion with the patient and give them the option to proceed if they are willing to accept the risk.
I recommend calling your surgeon and letting them know that you have continued to use nicotine so you can hear their perspective and make a plan together.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear rainrain90,
every plastic surgeon has his own preoperative protocol which he recommends to his patients. I would suggest you to discuss this with your plastic surgeon.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

You need to contact your surgeon right away and be honest about your vaping.  Any nicotine use increases your risk of complications such as infection and poor wound healing.  Smoking also can be a risk factor with anesthesia.  For your health and safety it's best to come clean with your surgeon rather than risk it.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

Vaping IS smoking and you are inhaling nicotine, plus a whole mess of other nasty chemicals. If you smoke, you are a smoker.  Call your surgeon's office and discuss this with his/her nurse to see if they want to reschedule your surgery.

Douglas Taranow, DO, FACOS · Answer

We ask patients to stop smoking or vaping 6 weeks before surgery, but even 2 weeks before helps the lungs recover and flush out the nicotine (an other toxins).  A breast augmentation procedure is a short case with very low risk for complications.  
While it would have been better if you stopped a few weeks earlier, I don't feel it will inhibit your healing (as long as your DO NOT start vaping or smoking in the future).
Good luck.
Dr. Taranow

Mark Eberbach, MD · Answer

Smoking increases your risk of infection and bleeding from coughing.

I personally will do isolated augmentation in minimal smokers since the rust is low.

BUT, let's be clear. You are a smoker. You smoke. Don't deny it to yourself or others.

Breast augmentation next week & quit vaping today, am I more at risk?

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