Should I have stopped smoking before my tummy tuck?

Question

So I been reading a lot about this and I haven't stoped smoking before my tummy tuck.. and i am 4 days post op and tomorrow I go and get re dressed, am I going to be okay because now I'm really starting to freak out..

Miguel Delgado, MD · Answer

I require that my patients stop smoking 2 to 4 weeks before and after surgery as smoking can greatly interfere with the healing process. You need to make sure your surgeon is aware of your smoking and you should stop right now. Good luck.

Kenneth A. Godwin, DO · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. It is very important that you stop smoking now. Smoking causes decreased blood flow to the abdominal skin flap and this could affect your healing. Typically, I have my patients stop 6 weeks prior to surgery.

Michael Dobryansky, MD, FACS · Answer

You should stop smoking now. You should also inform your surgeon that you had not stopped. I am guessing that your surgeon had recommended that you stop prior to surgery. There is a lot of medical evidence that abdominal and other incisions do not heal as well in smokers. That being said, your surgeon needs to know what is going on so that they can take care of any issues that may come up with your incision. Good luck.

Dean Trotter, MBBS, FRACS · Answer

In an ideal world you should have definitely stopped smoking at least 4 weeks prior to surgery, most surgeons would advise 6 weeks.  If you had stopped you should not smoke for at least 4-6 weeks post operatively either.  It is proven that smoking interferes with wound healing in particular.Even though you have been smoking I would still recommend you quit until you have recovered.  There is still benefit in stopping now and will give you the best chance to heal without complications.All the best with your recovery.Kind regards,Dean

Ira H. Rex III, MD · Answer

I have my patients stop smoking 4 to 6 weeks prior to the operation. If they cannot do this, I will either not offer them for surgery, or perhaps I would alter the surgery and not perform liposuction of the abdominal wall. For you, it would still be beneficial to avoid smoking in the early healing, say about six weeks. You should talk to your plastic surgeon about this.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Plastic surgeons differ on the response to this question.  I recommend to my patients a minimum of 4 weeks without smoking prior to undergoing a tummy tuck,BUT you should follow your plastic surgeon's instructions.Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Amy Simon, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question about smoking after your tummy tuck.  I always recommend that my patients quit smoking permanently.  Of course, for those who are unable to do this, at least stop smoking three weeks before and three weeks after surgery.  This will be beneficial both from an anesthesia standpoint and certainly from a healing standpoint.  I always recommend this to all of my Melbourne, Florida, plastic surgery patients.  I hope this information is helpful to you.  Best of luck!

Lina Triana, MD · Answer

A smoker is more prone to have complications since nicotine promotes blood clotting having an increase in developing a thrombosis and also more prone to have a skin necrosis that can lead in loosing skin, ending in a prolonged healing time, infections and most commonly, a visible scar. 
Patients that actively smoke should not have a tummy tuck and you are commenting that you already had your tummy tuck done and never stopped smoking and now in your recovery period keep on doing it. I do advise you should stop smoking, even though you have not have any complications by now, that is what you have shared with us, still complications can happen so please stop smoking.You should prevent lying done or not moving for long periods of time in your recovery period and according to the condition of your skin in your postop I am sure your surgeon will advise, if any doubts regarding skin vitality, some measures to improve skin irrigation.So in conclusion what was done was done, we cannot erase it and there is no good in just freaking out, take action and stop smoking and talk about it with your surgeon so he/she knows the situation and can act accordingly. Now that your are going to be truthful with your surgeon remember always to follow your doctor recommendations. As doctors and surgeons we always seek the best for our patients and of course look for the best options for better outcomes for each individual case.

Maakan Taghizadeh, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Smoking significantly increases your risk for complications after surgery.  If you can even stop now it may help but I would discuss this with your plastic surgeon and adhere strictly to their post-operative recommendations.  I usually recommend patients to completely stop any nicotine at last 3-4 weeks before surgery and at least 4 weeks after.  Best of Luck!
Dr. Tag

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Smoking increases the  complication rate and in some instances by 50%. I prefer that patients stop 2-4 weeks prior to surgery and remain off during the early post-op period.

Should I have stopped smoking before my tummy tuck?

Answers (14)

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