Female, 56, 5’5, 157lbs & I am a smoker - why can I not have implants?

You can be a smoker and have implants, but you must refrain from smoking for several weeks prior to and after your surgery. Nicotine constricts blood vessels and can lead to issues with healing such as infections, poor wound healing, and necrosis. This is any type of nicotine, not just smoking. So that includes patches, nicotine gum, etc. THC also needs to be avoided.

Hi, thank you for sharing your question. There is an increased risk of wound healing complications and infection in patients who smoke and have surgery. Not just implants, any surgery. Discuss these risks with your surgeon and see if there is a way for you to work towards having implants.

Thanks for your question!
I am assuming the surgeon will not operate on you because you are a smoker. Nicotine delays healing and causes wound issues. Stop smoking 3 weeks before surgery and for 3 weeks after. Best wishes!

Smokers can get breast implants however they will need to refrain from smoking for a period of time before and after their surgery. This is to reduce the risks, such as necrosis and delayed wound healing.

You'll want the best results for your breast augmentation. Smoking cessation around the time of surgery will give you the best outcome.

In general, smoking patients experience a much higher rate of complications after any procedure. Most surgeons say absolutely not when surgeries requiring skin excision are contemplated (facelifts, breasts lifts, tummy tucks). With regards to implants, you are at higher risk for capsular contracture, which will likely send you back to the operating room. It's really simple: find a surgeon who doesn't care or stop smoking for 4-6 weeks prior to surgery.