How long after a Tummy Tuck would necrosis present itself, if it were going to happen?

As you already know, smoking and tummy tucks don't get along very well. You would see necrosis immediately after surgery so you don't have to worry at this point.

While doing a tummy tuck in a smoker is not our favorite thing to do, it sounds as if you are going to be ok....In most cases you can really tell in the first few days if there is going to be a problem and certainly by 25 days ago and you did quit for 30 days before....So I would go ahead and take a big (hopefully smokeless) sigh of relief!!!

Necrosis usually presents itself within the first week or two after surgery.  At this point, 25 days out from surgery, I would say you are likely out of the woods in terms of developing necrosis of the skin but I would highly encourage you to continue to refrain from smoking for at least 6-8 weeks after surgery and really you would be best to quit altogether.  Best of luck with your recovery!

Necrosis would present itself typically within the first couple of weeks but I advise my patients to quit smoking after such a lengthy procedure because the last thing anyone wants is delayed wound healing issues. Remember that your scars are still new and peak tensile strength doesn't occur until about 60 days. Nicotine impairs the wound healing process which doesn't just end after 30 or 60 days. Rather, scars typically take a good year to mature. Best to continue to avoid smoking and follow your operating surgeon's post op protocol. Good luck!

Congratulatins on stopping the smoking for surgery.  That can be challenging.  If at 25 days your incisions are intact with no signs of tissue loss you don't need to worry any more about necrosis.

Thank you for your question.  I am glad that you quit smoking a month before surgery to optimize your wound healing.  If you are 25 days out, I suspect you would have seen a problem with wound healing due to smoking by now.  Typically you will see some bruising or a discolored area likely just above the pubis in the center of your incision at the tightest area.  This eventually progresses to a blister and then necrosis with resultant tissue separation.  At 25 days you could still pull your wound apart if you are not careful with lifting/straining as it takes about 6-8 weeks for optimal scar strength.  Good luck. 

Lack of blood flow to the skin and fat result in necrosis (tissue death).  While it can take a short while for it to become obvious, there are signs of necrosis right away after surgery.  If you are healing without problems at 25 day after surgery, you are out of the woods for skin necrosis.  It is still best to avoid smoking.  Best wishes.