Hi, I'm preparing for my TT and breast lift. I pretty much quit smoking about 8 weeks ago with the exception of maybe one night a week when I was drinking. Over Thanksgiving I did give in and smoke about half a pack a day for a couple of days. Now I'm back to not smoking. I have preop 11 days from last cig and surgery 13 days after that. I know I pushed it to much but how long does it really take to get the nicotine and cotinine out of my system and pass the test ?
Answer: Smoking and Surgery Hi, thanks for your question. We typically recommend that you quit smoking at least 2 months before your surgery and for 2 months following your surgery. It's not really so much about passing a test, it's primarily about smoking inhibiting healing, and also about your lungs being irritated before you are put under general anesthesia. If your lungs and airway are irritated before you go under general anesthesia they could be overreactive and you risk going into what is called bronchoconstriction or simply put spasms. So you really want to be upfront with your surgeon about not only your smoking (how much you've smoked and when), but also about your alcohol consumption, which also has a bearing on the cocktail of drugs that you are administered before you go under. Please speak to you surgeon about this and any other concerns that you might have.
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Answer: Smoking and Surgery Hi, thanks for your question. We typically recommend that you quit smoking at least 2 months before your surgery and for 2 months following your surgery. It's not really so much about passing a test, it's primarily about smoking inhibiting healing, and also about your lungs being irritated before you are put under general anesthesia. If your lungs and airway are irritated before you go under general anesthesia they could be overreactive and you risk going into what is called bronchoconstriction or simply put spasms. So you really want to be upfront with your surgeon about not only your smoking (how much you've smoked and when), but also about your alcohol consumption, which also has a bearing on the cocktail of drugs that you are administered before you go under. Please speak to you surgeon about this and any other concerns that you might have.
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Answer: Mommy Makeover Hi & thanks for your question!
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Answer: Mommy Makeover Hi & thanks for your question!
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September 21, 2021
Answer: Two or three weeks should be enough to clear the nicotine from your bloodstream. “Pretty much quitting” smoking but still smoking half a pack for several days is not truly quitting smoking. If you are going to undergo an elective cosmetic surgery, which you are financially responsible for, it only makes sense to be sure that you are absolutely maximized to the best of your ability, so the risk of complications is minimized. That would mean no use of nicotine in any fashion: smoking, gum, lozenges, nasal spray, patch, etc, for a minimum of 3 weeks before your surgery. it would also be important to take into account the cumulative years that you have smoked because patients who have been heavy smokers for several decades have some underlying damage to their blood vessels. You should speak in detail about this with your plastic surgeon to determine the best way and safest way forward for you. Best wishes.
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September 21, 2021
Answer: Two or three weeks should be enough to clear the nicotine from your bloodstream. “Pretty much quitting” smoking but still smoking half a pack for several days is not truly quitting smoking. If you are going to undergo an elective cosmetic surgery, which you are financially responsible for, it only makes sense to be sure that you are absolutely maximized to the best of your ability, so the risk of complications is minimized. That would mean no use of nicotine in any fashion: smoking, gum, lozenges, nasal spray, patch, etc, for a minimum of 3 weeks before your surgery. it would also be important to take into account the cumulative years that you have smoked because patients who have been heavy smokers for several decades have some underlying damage to their blood vessels. You should speak in detail about this with your plastic surgeon to determine the best way and safest way forward for you. Best wishes.
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December 12, 2020
Answer: Nicotine and Plastic Surgery Don't Mix #RealTalkwithDr.E Thank you for your question. TBH, I'm not really sure how long you need to be nicotine free to pass "the test". However, that's not what you should really be worried about. Your main concern should be making sure your nicotine free for an adequate length of time for your surgery. The absolute minimum time you should be nicotine free before your surgery is two weeks, but longer would be safer. Nicotine is a very powerful vasoconstrictor (cuts off blood flow). That can mean the difference between a good result when you're nicotine free and an absolute disaster when you have nicotine in your system before surgery. By absolute disaster, I'm referring to your nipple turning black, dying and falling off. If this scares you a little bit, you should be. Being nicotine free for surgery is the one thing you can easily control to give yourself the best chance for a good outcome.
Helpful 2 people found this helpful
December 12, 2020
Answer: Nicotine and Plastic Surgery Don't Mix #RealTalkwithDr.E Thank you for your question. TBH, I'm not really sure how long you need to be nicotine free to pass "the test". However, that's not what you should really be worried about. Your main concern should be making sure your nicotine free for an adequate length of time for your surgery. The absolute minimum time you should be nicotine free before your surgery is two weeks, but longer would be safer. Nicotine is a very powerful vasoconstrictor (cuts off blood flow). That can mean the difference between a good result when you're nicotine free and an absolute disaster when you have nicotine in your system before surgery. By absolute disaster, I'm referring to your nipple turning black, dying and falling off. If this scares you a little bit, you should be. Being nicotine free for surgery is the one thing you can easily control to give yourself the best chance for a good outcome.
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December 7, 2020
Answer: Nicotine I encourage you to speak to your surgeon openly and honestly about your nicotine use. Safety is the number one priority during surgery and you don't want to do anything to put yourself at higher risk. Nicotine can impede blood flow and put you at risk for complications during recovery. Decide together with your surgeon what is best for you based on your nicotine use and surgical plan.
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December 7, 2020
Answer: Nicotine I encourage you to speak to your surgeon openly and honestly about your nicotine use. Safety is the number one priority during surgery and you don't want to do anything to put yourself at higher risk. Nicotine can impede blood flow and put you at risk for complications during recovery. Decide together with your surgeon what is best for you based on your nicotine use and surgical plan.
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