I had breast augmentation 24 days ago and I know smoking is VERY important to the healing. I quit 3 weeks prior to sugery, a week before the "quit date" that I cut down to only 1 per day. I started smoking again at 3 weeks after my surgery. Now, I am just wondering if this will have an effect on my healing? My incisions look like they are coming along very well, but I still have have stitches, they are the dissolving kind. What is your opinion? Thank you very much for your help!!
Answer: Smoking is Bad Before and After Surgery
Helpful 3 people found this helpful
Answer: Smoking is Bad Before and After Surgery
Helpful 3 people found this helpful
Answer: Smoking and Nicotine use pre- and post-op Thank you for your question. You are 100% correct that smoking can negatively affect the outcome of a surgical procedure as it can increase your risk for developing complications. As a vasoconstrictor, nicotine compromises the amount of good and well-oxygenated blood that is delivered to your tissues. These complications include everything from infection, wound formation, poor scarring, poor healing, development of capsular contracture and many others. In my practice, I generally request that my patients discontinue smoking and use of all nicotine containing products for at least 4 weeks pre- and post-op. It would be amazing if patients never smoked again following their surgical procedure, but as physicians and realists we do understand that this is generally not the case. I would recommend that you follow up with your operating surgeon to discuss your progress to date and how resumption of and continued use of nicotine may impact your overall cosmetic result. I wish you the best of luck on your recovery and I hope you find this helpful.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
Answer: Smoking and Nicotine use pre- and post-op Thank you for your question. You are 100% correct that smoking can negatively affect the outcome of a surgical procedure as it can increase your risk for developing complications. As a vasoconstrictor, nicotine compromises the amount of good and well-oxygenated blood that is delivered to your tissues. These complications include everything from infection, wound formation, poor scarring, poor healing, development of capsular contracture and many others. In my practice, I generally request that my patients discontinue smoking and use of all nicotine containing products for at least 4 weeks pre- and post-op. It would be amazing if patients never smoked again following their surgical procedure, but as physicians and realists we do understand that this is generally not the case. I would recommend that you follow up with your operating surgeon to discuss your progress to date and how resumption of and continued use of nicotine may impact your overall cosmetic result. I wish you the best of luck on your recovery and I hope you find this helpful.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
April 19, 2016
Answer: Smoking before and after surgery Hi and thank you for your question.I ask my patients to stop smoking 3 weeks before and 3 weeks after surgery. If you can quit for good that would be even better! Best wishes.
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April 19, 2016
Answer: Smoking before and after surgery Hi and thank you for your question.I ask my patients to stop smoking 3 weeks before and 3 weeks after surgery. If you can quit for good that would be even better! Best wishes.
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November 20, 2015
Answer: Smoking and breast augmentation Thank you for your question. Smoking before or after your surgery can increase your risk of developing complications including infection and wound healing problems. I generally ask patients to stop a couple months ahead of surgery and then for a couple months after surgery.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
November 20, 2015
Answer: Smoking and breast augmentation Thank you for your question. Smoking before or after your surgery can increase your risk of developing complications including infection and wound healing problems. I generally ask patients to stop a couple months ahead of surgery and then for a couple months after surgery.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
September 8, 2015
Answer: Better to stop for the entire length of your recovery It is a good idea to stay away from cigarettes for at least 2 weeks after surgery, although it is better to stop for longer if possible to facilitate your recovery because you are at a higher risk of experiencing skin loss and poor wound healing.
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September 8, 2015
Answer: Better to stop for the entire length of your recovery It is a good idea to stay away from cigarettes for at least 2 weeks after surgery, although it is better to stop for longer if possible to facilitate your recovery because you are at a higher risk of experiencing skin loss and poor wound healing.
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July 27, 2014
Answer: How long do I need to be off smoking after breast implant surgery? Hello! Thank you for your question! The issue with nicotine is that it also acts as a vasoconstrictor, clamping down of blood vessels. Blood supply is always of great concern during any surgical procedure, but especially in such a procedure as a breast augmentation where the viability of the nipple-areolar complex is obviously important. Since the vascularity to the area is already tenuous with placement of the implant beneath, maximizing blood flow to the tissue is critical. Typically, we recommend at least 6 weeks of smoking cessation prior to and at least 6 weeks after any surgical procedure. The longer, the better. Nicotine always increases the risk for infection, nipple necrosis, and wound complications, as well as other health consequences. The most devastating consequence of infection, especially since an implantable prosthetic device is used, is increased. This along with wound healing and scarring. I would discuss this with your surgeon prior to your procedure. Hope that this helps! Best wishes!
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July 27, 2014
Answer: How long do I need to be off smoking after breast implant surgery? Hello! Thank you for your question! The issue with nicotine is that it also acts as a vasoconstrictor, clamping down of blood vessels. Blood supply is always of great concern during any surgical procedure, but especially in such a procedure as a breast augmentation where the viability of the nipple-areolar complex is obviously important. Since the vascularity to the area is already tenuous with placement of the implant beneath, maximizing blood flow to the tissue is critical. Typically, we recommend at least 6 weeks of smoking cessation prior to and at least 6 weeks after any surgical procedure. The longer, the better. Nicotine always increases the risk for infection, nipple necrosis, and wound complications, as well as other health consequences. The most devastating consequence of infection, especially since an implantable prosthetic device is used, is increased. This along with wound healing and scarring. I would discuss this with your surgeon prior to your procedure. Hope that this helps! Best wishes!
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