How long is the safest length to quit smoking?

Question

How long is the safest length to quit smoking.I had paid & was booked for breast lift with implants.I got REALLY bad anxiety the week before cause I read so much bad stuff bout smoking and surgery,so i didnt know if I quit long enough so I cancelled surgery.I really want to get it done ,its on my mind everyday since cancelling

Roger Tsai, MD · Answer

Great question! Every surgeon will have a different answer and protocol but the range of the general consensus is about 4-8 weeks.  So if you want to be super safe then do 8 weeks.  That also means 8 weeks after surgery for a total of 16 weeks.Best of luck and hope this information helps!
- Dr. Roger Tsai  @DrRogerTsai
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Jamil Ahmad, MD · Answer

Smoking can inhibit the healing process and most doctors would recommend that you abstain for at least a month before and after surgery. As you are likely undergoing a once in a lifetime surgery, you want to give your body the best advantage to heal well to help achieve your desired outcomes. That said, you need to carefully follow the specific recommendations your surgeon gave you as they have the best understanding of your medical history and your best option is to consult with them about this question.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Plastic surgeons differ on the response to this question.  Nicotine constricts blood vessels and prevents delivery of oxygen to the wound that requires good blood flow to heal. In my practice, I advise my patients not to smoke for at least a week prior to and 6 weeks after breast augmentation.  If you are smoking one half pack per day or more, you should stop smoking for a month prior to breast augmentation.
You should always contact your plastic surgeon about pre and postoperative instructions and concerns. Surgery and the recovery period is a complex interaction of what was performed and how your body reacts.Kenneth Hughes, MD, ABPS Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Urmen Desai, MD, MPH, FACS · Answer

I would wait at least a month I recommend an in-office examination as well as a detailed discussion with a surgeon who you are comfortable with.   Finally, make sure your surgeon is a Double-Board Certified Plastic Surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS), a member of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS).Best,Dr. DesaiBeverly Hills Institute for Aesthetic Plastic SurgeryHarvard Educated, Beverly Hills & Miami Beach TrainedDouble Board-Certified, Double Fellowship-Trained Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Vishnu Rumalla, MD · Answer

Thanks for your inquiry,  for a breast augmentation with lift , three weeks would be a good minimum, but ask your surgeon, good luck.

Mathew A. Plant, MD, FRCSC · Answer

Surgeons often have different opinions so it's probably best if you discuss this with your own surgeon but in general quitting for a minimum of 6 weeks before and after surgery is ideal. Best of luck with your procedure

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear twinkle6,smoking is a significant risk factor for post-operative complications. Every plastic surgeon has his own postoperative protocol which he recommends to his patients. I would suggest you to discuss this with your plastic surgeon.Daniel Barrett, MD

Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Jeffrey D. Wagner, MD · Answer

You were wise and correct to hold off on your surgery; you can get into plenty of trouble in surgery without asking for it, and smoking is definitely asking for it!  It would be difficult to overstate this issue--smoking is a major factor in skin flap necrosis and healing issue with mastopexy/augmentation.  I advise patients undergoing this procedure, and several others, to stop smoking at least 6 weeks before such surgeries, and not to restart after surgery.  Good luck!

James Knoetgen, III, MD · Answer

It's great that you're thinking about your health and safety when it comes to your surgery. Quitting smoking before surgery is crucial for minimizing risks like poor wound healing, infections, and complications with anesthesia, especially for procedures like breast lift with implants.

Most surgeons recommend quitting at least 4 to 6 weeks before and after surgery. This timeframe allows your body to recover from the harmful effects of smoking and improves blood flow, which is essential for proper healing after surgery. Quitting even earlier, around 8 weeks before surgery, provides even better outcomes, especially for larger or more complex procedures like a breast lift with implants.

If anxiety was a factor in your decision to cancel, try discussing your concerns openly with your surgeon. They can give you guidance and reassurance based on your health status, which might help you feel more confident about the procedure. There are also resources to help with anxiety and smoking cessation, including medications and counseling.

Anna I. Wooten, MD, FACS · Answer

Because smoking and nicotine can increase your risk of tissue necrosis, as well as a whole host of other unpleasant side effects, we advise that patients do not smoke for at least three months prior to any surgical procedure.

How long is the safest length to quit smoking?

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