I use smokeless tobacco & drink often. Surgery is in 13 days. When should I stop, and can I drink alcohol?

Thanks for your inquiry. Please call your plastic surgeon to find out his/her recommendations.  I have patients stop nicotine use three weeks before alll surgeries and longer on certain procedures.  I could not tell how much alcohol you consumed per week to comment.

Each Plastic Surgeon has their own view point on this and I would suggest you speak with your plastic surgeon. The reason that it is suggested that you stop or have minimal alcohol leading up to your surgery is that if can effect the metabolism (how fast the drugs last) of the anesthesia and pain medicines afterwards and can cause bleeding problems during surgery. Definitely do not drink and take pain medicines afterwards as it can cause you to stop breathing in certain circumstances.My suggestions to my patients is to have no more than one glass of wine or beer per day 2 weeks before surgery and preferably stop a week prior to surgery, resuming after pain medicines have stopped and you are back to your normal routine.#alcoholbeforesurgery

I generally recommend patients to stop smoking all together for 2 months before surgery and then another 2 months after surgery. It is in your best interest that you stop in order to decrease the chance of having complications.  It is not to late to reschedule surgery to a later date and stop now.  Also regarding the drinking, I would stop several days before surgery and hold off for several weeks after surgery when all the swelling is down.

Thank you for your question.  Though odd that you did not receive pre-op instructions addressing your questions, typically we advise out patients to cease smoking  a minimum of two weeks prior to surgery as smoking increases all the risk associated with surgery to include but not limited to increased risk of infection, increased bleeding, increased bruising, risk of delayed wound healing, risk of infection, and the potential need for additional surgeries.  In regards to alcohol consumption, we ask patients to stop drinking alcohol a minimum of one week prior to surgery.Best regards,Dr. Lane F. Smith, MDPlastic SurgeonLas Vegas, NV

These are issues you should have discussed with your PS long ago.Smoking (or any use of tobacco) is a huge deterrent to proper healing, and can increase your health risks during surgery. To get the best results, stop smoking as soon as possible.

These are important questions to review with your surgeon BEFORE surgery, and preferably PRIOR TO 2 WEEKS before surgery, so please contact your surgeon IMMEDIATELY to pose this questions.

All physicians should recommend stopping tobacco products. They are not good for your health at any time. The type of surgery was not mentioned nor was your alcohol consumption. These are important details your surgeon needs to know. Contact your surgeon as soon as possible. Dr. Peterson

Hi puremiloveYou should stop all tobacco use immediately and never stop- regardless of surgery status.Drinking should be done only in moderation.That said, tobacco use is a strict no no for some operations.  In other operations, tobacco may not have an impact as much.  You need to contact your surgeon on Monday and be honest with your consumption to see if it is even safe for you to proceed or if it would be better to delay surgery for a few weeks.I would also suggest that you consider your alcohol consumption.  Given your description of use, and how motivated you are to use, it sounds like you have a significant drinking issue that could ultimately negatively affect your life and health.  If I am wrong about this, I apologize.