How much of a problem is consuming nicotine 2 weeks before my rhinoplasty?

Question

I have a rhinoplasty scheduled for December 17th. My roommates both have electronic cigarettes and I partake in them from time to time, with the last time being yesterday. I am about to get pre-surgery bloodwork done and I read online that they check for nicotine as it causes problems with cosmetic surgery. Will they still perform the surgery/will the surgery go smoothly if I consumed nicotine 2 weeks prior to surgery? Please help, I am very worried about this.

David C. Pearson, MD · Answer

Because nicotine can decrease blood flow to the skin (among other effects), it's important to avoid all nicotine products a month before elective cosmetic surgery and for at least a month post-operatively...and ideally forever! Why take the chance?All the best,--DCPPearson Facial Plastic Surgery®

Bora Ok, MD · Answer

Thank you for question .I recomend you to inform your surgeon and follow his/her recommendations.
Best of luck to you.

Yucel Sarialtin, MD · Answer

thank you for your question,
What I usually recommend to my patients is to leave any product containing nicotine 8 weeks before the surgery and ideally it would be left for life but if the patient definitely can not quit I ask him to wait at least another 8 weeks after the surgery to start again.
good luck!

Jose Perez-Gurri, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi. You should be fine stopping 2-3 weeks prior to your surgery. However, you need to be aware that smoking and nicotine (I realize it's different than vaping) can adversely affect the healing process. Good luckDr PG

Luis A. Mejia, MD · Answer

hello thank you for your question and provided information as well..its recommended stop to smoke 2 month before surgery, because can affect to recovery, affect cicatrization , can get necrosis because have a less oxigen in your body thank normal.

P. Daniel Ward, MD · Answer

Usually we want people to stop about 8 weeks prior to the surgery and to hopefully never start back again! If they do start back up again, they usually need to wait at least 8 weeks.

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

Smoking and nicotine do have negative effect on any surgery and healing. Skin vascularity, cough and secretion after anesthesia may compromise postoperative result and recovery in multiple ways. You should quit smoking 4-6 weeks before any surgery as a rule. This issue should be discussed with your surgeon before surgery. Good luck.

Jeffrey Joseph, MD, FACS · Answer

I recommend that patients stop all nicotine two weeks before and four weeks after surgery.  I feel so strongly about this, that I do not operate on smokers that can not stop two weeks prior.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear evabliss,nicotine can cause severe healing issues so you should stop smoking prior to surgery. Every plastic surgeon has his own postoperative protocol which he recommends to his patients. I would 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

Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Thomas J. Walker, MD, FACS · Answer

Irrespective of the fact that nicotine consumption of any kind has negative effects on your health, I ask that my patients be off ALL nicotine-containing products 6 weeks prior and 6 weeks after surgery, which includes avoidance of second-hand smoking. Nicotine negatively affects the blood supply to the nose, which leads to an increased risk of complications such as skin necrosis and infection, which can have negative consequences, both aesthetically and functionally. It is simply not worth taking the risk in cosmetic surgery of any kind. I recommend you contact your surgeon and let him or her know about your nicotine consumption. Best regards,Thomas Walker, MD, FACS

How much of a problem is consuming nicotine 2 weeks before my rhinoplasty?

Answers (15)

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