Smoking Marijuana After Breast Augmentation?

The big problem that smoking causes with surgery is that it can cause healing complications. This occurs from nicotine and the other substances found in the smoke.  Cigarettes in particular have multiple toxins in addition to nicotine. There have been no studies that I know of looking specifically at marijuana smoking and wound healing. The active chemical of marijuana, THC, probably has little effect on healing. If we believe that the real problem is the tars, toxins, and nicotine, then it seems to follow that smoking marijuana may not have as much effect on healing.  Obviously speak to your surgeon honestly and openly. We as surgeons should be able to give you an honest opinion based on science and data, complelely separate from their own personal opinion about marijuana smoking.

Most experts unanimously agree that smoking increases the rate of breast augmentation surgical complications significantly. Just about all plastic surgeons strongly recommend women to stop smoking and all nicotine products well in advance of breast augmentation with breast implants. Many plastic surgeons recommend stopping all tobacco products several months prior to surgery.Here is the reason why: the nicotine in cigarettes and other tobacco products (including Nicorette gum, patches, etc) is a vasoconstrictor, meaning it makes the Smoking is a significant multiplier of many potential complications following surgery and breast augmentation with implants are no exception. Nicotine from smoking causes blood vessels to vasoconstrict ( tighten up). Over time, these constricted arteries and capillaries deliver less blood to the breast tissue which is needed for normal healing. Smokers therefore have an increased incidence of higher likelihood of complications such as infection, and in particular capsular contracture (hardening and distortion of the implants). General complications of surgery such as blood clots, anesthetic problems such as pneumonia are also increased. A scientific article in the Archives of Internal Medicine indicated that, among all forms of surgery, quitting smoking eight weeks prior was never associated with an increased risk of complications.In young patients you will probably statistically avoid these complications, why tempt fate by increasing your odds that something bad will happen.On a long term basis, smoking also causes accelerated aging of the skin and loss of elasticity. Hopefully these reasons will help give you the will power and courage to stop smoking.

Thank you for your question. Smoking before or after your surgery can increase your risk of developing complications including infection and wound healing problems. I generally ask patients to stop a couple months ahead of surgery and then for a couple months after surgery.

Hello! Thank you for your question! The issue with nicotine, or any inhalational agent, is that it also acts as a vasoconstrictor, clamping down of blood vessels. Blood supply is always of great concern during any surgical procedure, but especially in such a procedure as a breast augmentation where the viability of the nipple-areolar complex is obviously important. Since the vascularity to the area is already tenuous with placement of the implant beneath, maximizing blood flow to the tissue is critical. Typically, we recommend at least 6 weeks of smoking cessation prior to and at least 6 weeks after any surgical procedure. The longer, the better. Nicotine always increases the risk for infection, nipple necrosis, and wound complications, as well as other health consequences. The most devastating consequence of infection, especially since an implantable prosthetic device is used, is increased. This along with wound healing and scarring. I would discuss this with your surgeon prior to your procedure. Hope that this helps! Best wishes!

i am unaware of any association of marijuana and complications of healing

 

even the effects of tobacco and healing diminish after 2 4 weeks

Some studies have shown that tobacco smokers have increased risks of capsular contracture.  Smoking tobacco or marijuana is known to cause vaso constriction.  Wound healing is all about getting blood flow to the wound.  For these reasons, we ask our patient to refrain from smoking anything at least a few weeks before and after surgery.