Hello, I am planning on getting a breast reconstruction done. One of my breasts is genetically very small and I have to get a tissue expander before switching to implants in future. As far as I know i’m not to smoke cigarettes for at least 2 weeks after the operation. But is it ok if i smoke during the time i’m having the saline injection sessions? The injection sessions are scheduled to start 2 weeks after the surgery.
Answer: Smoking Never Recommended In general, smoking cessation is recommended for the entirety of the time that you are having reconstruction. Smoking greatly increases your risk of having all complications including skin necrosis, infection, and need for revision. At the minimum you will have to stop smoking 6 weeks prior to each operation, and smoking within six weeks of your first tissue expander placement will still place you at risk for complications. Hopefully you can stop smoking all together, but at least stop smoking six weeks before and six weeks after your last operation.
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Answer: Smoking Never Recommended In general, smoking cessation is recommended for the entirety of the time that you are having reconstruction. Smoking greatly increases your risk of having all complications including skin necrosis, infection, and need for revision. At the minimum you will have to stop smoking 6 weeks prior to each operation, and smoking within six weeks of your first tissue expander placement will still place you at risk for complications. Hopefully you can stop smoking all together, but at least stop smoking six weeks before and six weeks after your last operation.
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July 20, 2022
Answer: Smoking Post-Operative Thank you for your consideration.
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July 20, 2022
Answer: Smoking Post-Operative Thank you for your consideration.
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February 16, 2022
Answer: Smoking and breast reconstruction I strongly recommend patients avoid all nicotine products for 4 weeks before and 4 weeks after breast reconstruction surgery. In the time after surgery, the healing process is dependent upon blood supply at the capillary (blood-tissue interface) level. Nicotine causes these critically important blood vessels to constrict which will increase the risk of complications after surgery. These complications may include: nipple death, skin death, delayed healing, open wounds, failure of acellular dermal matrices (ex. AlloDerm) to incorporate, infection, and reconstruction failure. The power of nicotine to interrupt normal healing is predictable and unforgiving. If your goal is to minimize risk of major complications after surgery, don't use nicotine for at least 4 weeks.
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February 16, 2022
Answer: Smoking and breast reconstruction I strongly recommend patients avoid all nicotine products for 4 weeks before and 4 weeks after breast reconstruction surgery. In the time after surgery, the healing process is dependent upon blood supply at the capillary (blood-tissue interface) level. Nicotine causes these critically important blood vessels to constrict which will increase the risk of complications after surgery. These complications may include: nipple death, skin death, delayed healing, open wounds, failure of acellular dermal matrices (ex. AlloDerm) to incorporate, infection, and reconstruction failure. The power of nicotine to interrupt normal healing is predictable and unforgiving. If your goal is to minimize risk of major complications after surgery, don't use nicotine for at least 4 weeks.
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November 15, 2021
Answer: Postoperative protocol Dear Riafthsu,
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November 15, 2021
Answer: Postoperative protocol Dear Riafthsu,
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December 22, 2021
Answer: Smoking after Breast Reconstruction It is very important to reduce your chances of infection, which is why you are asked to avoid smoking for as long as possible after the surgery. The best advice I can give you is to follow all of your surgeon's instructions carefully. Smoking will increase your risk of getting an infection, so it is probably best not to start smoking again until you have recovered completely from the tissue expander placement and are ready for the implant surgery. Your surgeon will be able to give you specific advice based on what they would like to do in your case.
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December 22, 2021
Answer: Smoking after Breast Reconstruction It is very important to reduce your chances of infection, which is why you are asked to avoid smoking for as long as possible after the surgery. The best advice I can give you is to follow all of your surgeon's instructions carefully. Smoking will increase your risk of getting an infection, so it is probably best not to start smoking again until you have recovered completely from the tissue expander placement and are ready for the implant surgery. Your surgeon will be able to give you specific advice based on what they would like to do in your case.
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