By your question I hope you are not planning to mislead your surgeon and smoke before surgery. There are over 250 toxins from smoking that can interfere with wound healing and can jeopardize your result. Smokers may develop pneumonia, have a stroke, cardiac arrest or a heart attack.I require that my patients quit smoking a minimum of 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after surgery. If you are having a difficult time quitting you should be honest with your surgeon who may be able to help you by prescribing a prescription such as Chantix. Surgeons number one goal is the safety of their patients. Good luck.
Great question. In general, pre-operative tests for gynecomastia surgery don’t directly show that you smoke, but some may indicate signs consistent with smoking. I will assume you are talking about smoking ciggarettes as opposed to marijuana. Here’s how it breaks down: Common Pre-Op Tests:For gynecomastia surgery, your surgeon may order:• Blood work (CBC, coagulation profile, etc.)• Chest X-ray or ECG (especially if you're over 40 or have health issues)• Hormone panels• Liver/kidney function testsNone of these will specifically say “this person smokes.”Tests That Can Detect Smoking (if ordered):1. Cotinine Testo Cotinine is a byproduct of nicotine.o Can be detected in blood, urine, or saliva.o Some surgeons or anesthesiologists might test for it, especially if: You’re having a procedure with higher risk (like a lift or large skin excision). They’ve emphasized stopping smoking and want to confirm compliance.2. Carbon Monoxide Breath Testo Rare in pre-op settings, but it exists.Why It Matters:Even if it's not tested directly, surgeons strongly advise quitting smoking at least 4 weeks before and after surgery because:• Smoking reduces oxygen delivery to tissues.• Increases risks of complications (like poor wound healing, infections, necrosis).• Can affect how your anesthesia is managed.
