I am having a tummy tuck and breast lift in two days. What is the typical measurement of nicotine that they test for?

Question

They are giving me a urine test for nicotine. I passed a test of 100 ng/ml.

Mark Crispin, MD · Answer

The answer is that any level above 0 is too much.  Smoking within a month of surgery greatly enhances your chance of wound breakdown and ugly scars. If you have surgery then you are taking on that risk.

Hampton A. Howell, MD · Answer

Hi.  I recommend for that type of surgery that my patients be off of cigarettes and all nicotine containing products for 6-8 weeks before the surgery and similar after the surgery.  Smoking and nicotine significantly and  negatively affect wound healing, especially for these type of surgeries where the blood supply issues are more complex.  Continuing to smoke or use other nicotine containing products is placing you at a high and realistic risk of having significant wound healing problems.  Honesty and transparency is key, and I would highly recommend that you be completely upfront and straightforward with your surgeon about this, and reschedule if needed.Good luck and take care,Dr. Howell

James H. Rogers, MD · Answer

Any nicotine or its breakdown product cotinine in the blood or urine is a positive test . These tests are done because we know patients that are still using nicotine products are at much higher risks for complications. If you are dedicating the time and expense of having these procedures, why take any added risks. I would delay your surgery until you dont have to worry about having a positve test.

Robert M. Tornambe, MD · Answer

juju617.   If you are asking that question it seems like you have been smoking up to now.  If you have not stopped all nicotine for at least 2 weeks before your surgery dat, then postpone it!  Smoking causes extreme problems with wound healing and can have disasterous effects on your result.  Be honest with your plastic surgeon and do it right! Good luck!

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Plastic surgeons differ on the response to this question.  I recommend to my patients a minimum of 4 weeks without nicotine prior to and after undergoing a tummy tuck.  Nicotine constricts blood vessels and prevents delivery of oxygen to the wound that requires good  blood flow to heal. Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Jeffrey Thaxton, MD FACS · Answer

Nicotine greatly increases your risk of complications.  I recommend being nicotine free for at least 2 weeks prior to surgery.  While you may get by with not being nicotine free (and many do) you and your surgeon need to decide if it is worth the risk.  Some surgeons will not do either of the procedures you are scheduled for if you test positive for any nicotine, others will inform their patients of the increased risk and proceed feeling that the patient is willing to accept the increased risk.

Jack Peterson, MD · Answer

I recommend a patient be completely non smoking for 4 weeks prior to a tummy tuck. The risks of nicotine (even 1 cig resets the clock) and wound issues is well documented. I highly suggest you call your PS office and be upfront if you have been smoking. Believe me, they would much prefer to reschedule your surgery than to deal with post operative complications and non compliance.You are likely spending a lot of money to have this surgery. You ( and your PS) want the best outcome possible

Gary L. Ross, MBChB, FRCS · Answer

It would be in your best interest to postpone your surgery and give up completely for 4-6 weeks

Lisa M. DiFrancesco, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Each surgeon is different but I usually recommend 4 weeks before and after surgery no smoking and no nicotine. Both will increase your risk of having a complication such as infection and wound healing issues.

David A. Lickstein, MD · Answer

It is not so much a limit of what is being tested for, but rather to determine if a patient is still smoking.  Some surgeons will delay surgery because of the increased risk of wound healing complications.

I am having a tummy tuck and breast lift in two days. What is the typical measurement of nicotine that they test for?

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