Smoking before liposuction for lipoma. Will the anesthetic cause any problems?

Question

I'm 30 years old male and I have nearly 20-30 lipomas. Going to remove all those with liposuction. My question is, I'm a pack a day smoker and 18hrs before surgery only I stopped smoking. Will the anesthetic face any problem with me? Do I need to cancel the surgery? please help!

Jaime S. Schwartz, MD, FACS · Answer

I appreciate your question.

It is imperative that you stop smoking 8 weeks prior to surgery as well as 8 weeks after surgery as smoking impairs wound healing and can cause a host of other complications.  Please discuss with your surgeon.

The best way to assess and give true advice would be an in-person exam.  Please see a board-certified plastic surgeon that specializes in aesthetic plastic surgery and high definition body contouring.

Best of luck!

Dr. Schwartz

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

#RealSelf100Surgeon

#RealSelfCORESurgeon

Aldo Guerra, MD · Answer

Smoking increases (doubles) the complications of most surgery including the risks of infection and wound healing problems. It could also increase the risks of anesthetic problems. Quitting 6 weeks before surgery, helps to reduce some risks.Warmst regards, Dr. ALDO

Jayanthy Ravindran, MS, DNB, MRCS · Answer

Hi there,
Cigarette smoke contains over 4000 substances, some of which are harmful to the smoker. Some constituents cause cardiovascular problems, increasing the blood pressure, heart rate, and the systemic vascular resistance. 
Some cause respiratory problems, interfering with oxygen uptake, transport, and delivery. Further, some interfere with respiratory function both during and after anesthesia. Some also interfere with drug metabolism. Various effects on muscle relaxants have been reported. 
Risk of aspiration is similar to that of nonsmokers, but the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting appears to be less in smokers than in nonsmokers. Even passive smoking effects anesthesia. 
Best is to stop smoking for at least 8 weeks prior to surgery or, if not, at least for 24 hours before surgery. Anxiolytic premedication with smooth, deep anesthesia should prevent most problems. 
Monitoring may be difficult due to incorrect readings on pulse oximeters and higher arterial to end tidal carbon dioxide differences. In the recovery period, smokers will need oxygen therapy and more analgesics. It is time that anesthesiologists played a stronger role in advising smokers to stop smoking.
Hope that answers your question!

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

Please let your surgeon know about your smoking prior to surgery. Stopping smoking is very important for your healing and for anesthesia.  You are choosing elective surgery and want to obtain your best results. Smoking can interfere with getting good results.

Milan Doshi, MS, MCh · Answer

one must quite smoking  2 weeks before and after  any surgery as there is definitely adverse  impact on anaesthesia as well as wound healing  and infection

Smoking before liposuction for lipoma. Will the anesthetic cause any problems?

Answers (5)

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