Takes on vaping before BA surgery and after?

Question

I was wondering if y'all thought vaping is different than actually smoking cigarettes considering it doesn't have all the extra chemicals. I vape 12 mg of nicotine.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your excellent question.  With the rise in popularity in vaping it is important to remember that the active ingredient in cigarettes and vaping is nicotine.  Nicotine is responsible for narrowing blood vessels and limiting blood flow to areas of healing.  Best to stop all forms of nicotine before surgery, including cigarettes, cigars, vaping, chewless tobacco, etc.

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

Hello,Unfortunately it is the Nicotene causing negative effects on circulation and healing. I recommend a minimum of two weeks before and after surgery to be Nicotene free.All the best

Shlomo Widder, MD · Answer

Dear scpauls,    Cosmetic surgery is a purely elective procedure and complications should be reduced to a minimum. Nicotine can cause reduction in the blood flow to the wound due to vaso- constriction . That fact can theoretically impair the ability of your body to fight infection. Is that possible devastating complication worth the pleasure from 'vaping' ? I would strongly recommend to stop 'vaping' for a week before and after surgery. This is just common sense and good protection of your investment.                  Best of luck,                                Dr Widder

George Volpe, MD · Answer

Nicotine, whatever way it is ingested or inhaled, can have a deleterious effect on surgery. Some surgical procedures have significantly increased risks of complications if nicotine is in the system. This includes gum, patches and vapors. Nicotine is a powerful constrictor of blood vessels and many plastic surgical procedures require good circulation to the skin. Discuss with your surgeon possible complications if you use nicotine.

Jaime S. Schwartz, MD, FACS · Answer

I appreciate your question.Stopping all nicotine products 8 weeks before surgery is best as nicotine delays wound healing and can cause other surgical complications.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 and restorative breast surgery.best of luck!Dr Schwartz

Vishnu Rumalla, MD · Answer

Thanks for inquiry and an excellent question.  It is the nicotine that plastic surgeons are most concerned about with wound healing.  Please abstain from nicotine for at least three weeks before surgery and three weeks after to reduce the risk of nicotine related wound healing complications.  Good Luck.

David J. Wages, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Vaping and tobacco both have nicotine which impacts your circulation and can affect wound healing.  In addition, both can irritate your airways and this can impact your response to general anesthesia.  Bottom line is both are not healthy, although vaping does not have the other chemicals of burning tobacco it is still not a good choice.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

Cigarette smoking is definitely a bad choice including the artificial variety. However the likelihood of cigarette smoking or any substitute on the outcome of breast augmentation is negligible.

Samuel Rhee, MD · Answer

While vaping does not contain tar and smoke, e-cigarettes contain a mix of other chemicals, which can be harmful. The flavoring agents may be carcinogenic, such as formaldehyde and acetaldehyde.I assume you are using a 12mg/mL nicotine strength e-liquid. Depending on how much solution you use a day, you are probably absorbing a significant amount of nicotine.Nicotine is well known to delay healing and increase the risk of infection. Unfortunately, it is also extremely difficult to quit nicotine addiction, as all long-time smokers can attest.Vaping with a nicotine solution will probably negatively affect your breast augmentation procedure in a similar manner as smoking cigarettes.Please talk to your surgeon and good luck!

Joshua A. Halpern, MD, PA · Answer

Thank you for your question. I inform all my patients to quit all types of smoking including vaping two weeks prior to surgery, and two months after surgery. I then have them sign that if they do smoke and don't comply, I tell them that your breast will turn black and fall off. I've never seen this happen to my patient, but I have seen this on other doctors patients. I hope you find this information educational.

Takes on vaping before BA surgery and after?

Answers (16)

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