Will smoking before plastic surgery (BBL) kill me?

Question

I cut back on black and milds a lot. I actually quit for about a week at my 60 day mark. I still find myself occasionally smoking them. My surgery is in 3 weeks. I am so nervous. I don’t want to die.

Sacha Obaid, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question! For my patients, I advise they stop smoking and are completely nicotine free, 4 weeks prior to and 6 weeks post op. I hope this helps!

Stefan Mark Szczerba, MD · Answer

Ok so if you are trying to optimize your BBL outcome, you really should quit now and continue to avoid cigarettes for 4-6 weeks after.  The risk of dying during BBL surgery is linked to technique.  Make sure your plastic surgeon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.  We train and retrain to make sure we are doing the operation safely.  The key in BBL surgery is just adding fat into the layers just under the skin and avoiding the deeper tissues - particularly the muscle.  If your surgeon is injecting fat into the muscle during your BBL I would find a different doctor as that is not safe.  Smoking around the time of a BBL is really not linked to other life threatening risks other than blood clots.  Discuss that with your surgeon.  Best Wishes!!

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear dash4l,
smoking has a negative effect on blood vessels and reduce the blood flow to the skin so the risk of complications is high. I suggest you to discuss this with your plastic surgeon.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Definitely stop smoking! Smoking reduces circulation to the skin and impedes healing.  It is best to avoid smoking, including second hand smoke, and cigarette replacements, such as nicotine patches or gum, in the perioperative period.  While you should ideally stop smoking for 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after your BBL, you must NOT smoke for a minimum or 24 hours before and 24 hours  after surgery.

Tania Medina de Garcia, MD · Answer

Hello dear!
Thanks for the question and provided information as well.
Smoking before or after your surgery can increase your risk of developing complications, including infection and wound healing problems. I recommend my patients that it is ideal to stop at least 6 weeks before surgery and then 6 weeks more after surgery.
If you have any concerns, please follow up close with your plastic surgeon.
Good luck :)

Manuel Diaz, MD · Answer

Hello, very good question and very important as we all know smoking is harmful to health.Smoking has a negative effect on blood vessels and reduces blood flow to the skin, so the risk of complications is high. I suggest that you discuss this with your plastic surgeon. Although ideally, you should stop smoking for 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after your BBL, you should NOT smoke for a minimum of 24 hours before and 24 hours after surgery.My recommendation is that you stop smoking not only for your next surgery, but for your future health.

Arian Mowlavi, MD, FACS (license on probation) · Answer

Every board certified plastic surgeon does things differently. Smoking increases the risk for complications. Smoking can attenuate blood flow to the skin, which can affect the results of your elective surgery. A Skype or FaceTime consultation with a BBL specialist can help you get an accurate recommendation. 
Respectfully, 
Arian Mowlavi MD, FACS
Realself 100 Hall of Fame Inductee

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

I have bad news for you. You’re going to die.With all the uncertainty in the world This one is 100% certain.If you don’t want to die prematurely then you should absolutely quit smoking immediately.There are a few risks as well proven to reduce the quality and longevity of life as smoking. This is simply a no brainer and 100% I physicians and people will agree with the recommendation of stopping smoking as soon as possible preferably right now.The implication for smoking cigarettes with certain surgical procedures is immense and a bit like Russian roulette.Liposuction and fat transfer is not one of the procedures that cigarette smoking causes devastating impact upon. Still, everyone will recommend that you stop smoking and smoking will increase your risk for complications and poor outcomes.The procedures that are most affected by cigarettes smoking are ones where the blood supply is altered from undermining. These include breast reductions, breast lift, tummy tucks and facelifts. Many surgeons are wise enough to simply refuse patients who smoke these procedures. Major complications on a heavy cigarette smoker after a breast reduction is probably at least 50%For a BBL the chance of this having and major negative consequence is fairly small. The chance of a lifetime of smoking having serious implications including premature death is very high.I don’t think you need to post and rail south to know what the answer to your question was.Considering how little pleasure people actually get from smoking(I used to smoke) It’s a remarkably difficult habit to quit.Do whatever it takes. Joint support groups, talk to your primary care doctor. Avoid everything associated with smoking including drinking or hanging out with others who smoke.Don’t beat yourself up if you’re not successful in stopping. Just continue in the direction of a smoke-free world.Once you’re able to successfully quit you will find smoking repulsive and question why anyone does it.always be upfront and honest with your medical providers. Best, Mats Hagstrom MD

Will smoking before plastic surgery (BBL) kill me?

Answers (8)

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