Smoked once ahead of breast lift. If my nicotine test shows all clear, can I go ahead?

If you are not a long-term smoker, or nicotine user and you’ve only had these few puffs of nicotine vapor, there should be no issues with your wound healing after your surgery and you should be able to proceed with a clear mind. Best wishes.

Dear Powerful600985
Thanks for your question. You would be absolutely fine to go ahead with your surgery ask planned. Smoking mainly cause issues if you do it regularly around the time of surgery. So even if somebody is a smoker, many surgeons are happy to proceed if they stop smoking 4-6 weeks before until 6 weeks after surgery. 5 puffs 23 days before surgery in my opinion would not put you in any extra risk so do not worry too much. Your surgeon can also reassure you if you mention this to him/her as well. I hop you find this helpful and good luck with your surgery !

Hi Powerful600985,
I tell patients that nicotine is the single worst thing you can do for a healing surgical incision. Nicotine will reliably squeeze down small blood vessels--the same blood vessels which need to dilate in order to bring blood and healing cells to the surgical site.
Even one cigarette or nicotine vape can squeeze down blood vessels for several hours.
I would be honest with your surgeon, because you are having an extensive surgery involving implants and a lift. It's better to reschedule, as opposed to risking open wounds and a possible exposed implant.
Hope this helps.
Best,Christopher Pannucci MD MSBoard Certified Plastic SurgeonPlastic Surgery NorthwestSpokane, Washington