Light smoking before mastectomy/reconstruction?

Question

Hi, I'm having a mastectomy with reconstruction next week (no implants or anything, just a closure with some rearrangement of the skin to prevent concavity). I struggled a lot to quit smoking. My doctors told me two weeks and I tried really hard, and I got down to half a cigarette a day (zero some days) all last week. I'm a very light smoker. But tonight I messed up and had half a cig 3 times . . . I'm only 32, is the risk significant? I just had a 3 day streak of 0 ...

Ryan Rebowe, MD · Answer

Any nicotine use will predispose you to some skin necrosis. However, if you are not having a formal reconstruction with implants, the skin necrosis can often be managed conservatively without any other surgery. Without a formal reconstruction, your risk of serious problems such as infection are very small.

Mahira Tanovic, MD · Answer

Hello!
This is a great question. The reason why we stress the importance of quitting all forms of smoking prior to and after any procedure is for wound healing purposes. In my practice, I have observed that there is a higher rate of healing poorly after a procedure, and there can be higher rates of complications. 
Best,Dr. Tanovic

Vishwanath (CV) Chegireddy, MD · Answer

Smoking prior to mastectomy causes a significant issue with would healing. We recommend patients stop smoking 6 weeks prior to surgery. If there are wound healing issues then the implant or tissue expander can be exposed causing an infection and potentially losing the reconstruction.

Neil Tanna, MD, FACS · Answer

Smoking is a risk factor for surgical complications. However, the risk varies based on the procedure. The more invasive the procedure, the greater significance the smoking has. Smoking can increase risk for devastating complications in major breast reconstruction procedures, such as flap or implant procedures. In minor procedures, like local flap closure, the risk is still there, but to a lesser degree. Nonetheless, its always good to cut down if you cant quit completely.

Light smoking before mastectomy/reconstruction?

Answers (4)

Answer: Smoking is always a risk factor, but its not always so black and white.

Answer: Smoking is always a risk factor, but its not always so black and white.

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Everything you need to know about Breast Reconstruction

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Light smoking before mastectomy/reconstruction?

Answers (4)

Answer: Smoking is always a risk factor, but its not always so black and white.

Answer: Smoking is always a risk factor, but its not always so black and white.

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Reconstruction

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.