Would social smoking before breast implant explant and nipple grafting turn my nipples necrosis? (Photos)

Question

I use to smoke a pack of ciggs a day, but i quit that 2 years ago. Well I went thru bad break up with long time boyfriend and started to go out with the girls once a week and when I have a couple drinks I smoke. Would that give me necrosis Of the nipples after having nipple graft after breast implant explant and breast lift? I didn't smoke for 2 weeks till after my nipples were removed. My nipples had turned black the day after my surgery!

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

I'm sorry to hear of your issues.  If you had nipple grafts, there is always a  risk that the graft will not take.  However, nicotine use decreases blood supply which could lead to infection, poor wound healing, and tissue death.  Follow your surgeon's instructions and inform him/her of any changes or concerns.

Michael Cohen, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.  In general, smoking a very harmful to all wound healing, especially in cases where tissues such as nipples already have marginal blood supply from the surgery itself.  Adding the carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide from the smoke tends to push the struggling tissues over the edge in the direction of tissue necrosis.  This is the reason most plastic surgeons require between 2 and 6 weeks of not smoking prior to most procedures.  In my practice I also tell my patients to abstain from smoking for 3 months after their surgery, so that the wound healing is not impaired.  In your case, if your nipples were indeed free-grafted, then I want to reassure you that lots of free nipple grafts look black and necrotic for the first couple of weeks.  Eventually the necrotic outer skin will shed, leaving healthy pink tissue underneath.  Having said that, I cannot guarantee that this will be the case with you, as nipple graft survival is highly technique-dependent.  Your best bet at this point is to continue to abstain from smoking and see your plastic surgeon fairly soon so he or she can do a good exam and a full assessment.  Best of luck.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD · Answer

You have nipple necrosis and there are many reasons for that including smoking. Smoking causes decrease blood flow and poor healing. Please flow your surgeon's instructions.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

Smoking around the time of surgery could have affected your nipples. Second hand smoke can also affect your healing. Please avoid all smoking and all areas where there is smoking for now.

Would social smoking before breast implant explant and nipple grafting turn my nipples necrosis? (Photos)

Answers (4)

Answer: Smoking

Answer: Smoking

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Would social smoking before breast implant explant and nipple grafting turn my nipples necrosis? (Photos)

Answers (4)

Answer: Smoking

Answer: Smoking

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Everything you need to know about Breast Implant Removal

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