Vaping - nicotine and no nicotine before rhinoplasty? How long do I have to stop before and after the surgery?

Question

I vape liquid juice with 6mg of nicotine, do I have to stop for the surgery? How long do I have to stop before and after the surgery? What if it's liquid with no nicotine? Thank you,

Roger Tsai, MD · Answer

Great question!  In my practice I tell patients 1 month before and 1 month after with no nicotine - which means no gum or patches either.  Many surgery centers will test your urine the day of surgery and if shows nicotine exposure, you maybe in danger of having your surgery canceled.  So be super careful!Best of luck and hope this information helps!
- Dr. Roger Tsai   @DrRogerTsai
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Jonathan Kulbersh, MD · Answer

Nicotine can increase your risk for complications both during surgery and the recovery process. I tell my patients to avoid nicotine for at least six weeks before and six weeks after their procedures. This is particularly critical with rhinoplasty, since there are numerous blood vessels in the nose that can lead to excessive bleeding.Nicotine is a vasoconstrictor (narrows the blood vessels), so the substance can substantially exacerbate bleeding risk. Make sure you are working with a board-certified plastic surgeon and follow all pre- and post-operative instructions precisely to ensure an optimal outcome.

Salih Onur Basat, MD, EBOPRAS · Answer

Hello and thanks for your question.
In human body nicotine causes vasoconstriction that means it occlude small vessels. During the healing process if these small vessels are occluded by chemical material, it prolongs the heal process . Enough blood can’t flow the operation area and enough swelling can not be absorbed by these vessels . So nicotine both prolongs the healing process and decreasing of the edema. In my practice I recommend stopping the any kind of nicotine 4 weeks before and 4 week after the surgery.

Suleyman Tas, MD, FEBOPRAS · Answer

Hello,Thank you for your question. As smoking seriously damages the healing process I advise my patients quit smoking 6 months before the surgery and never smoke again after the surgery. This period is needed for the body to get rid of the harmful components of the nicotine. To find out more please click on the attached link. Best regards

Robert L. Kraft, MD, FACS · Answer

Nicotine use should be stopped at least six weeks before surgery.  Postoperatively, resuming will affect wound healing and is undesirable as well. This is an excellent opportunity to stop.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

It's important not to be vaping for a few weeks before and after a rhinoplasty procedure. Complication rates are much higher with nicotine

Julian Rowe-Jones, MBBS, FRCS (Eng), FRCS (ORL) · Answer

I recommend stopping any nicotine products for 6 weeks before surgery as this drug constricts blood vessels.  This increases the risk of poor healing and infection.  For this reason I also advise not to use nicotine products after surgery for at least 3 months and ideally not at all.

Daniel Zeichner, MD · Answer

Hi and welcome to our forum!
Nicotine is a potent blood vessel constrictor and will limit blood flow to traumatized tissue which requires even more blood supply than normal tissue, increasing the incidence of postoperative complications, including tissue loss. Whether smoked or vaped, the effect is the same.Plastic surgeons are aware of this problem, but there is no consensus as to duration of recommended nicotine abstinence. 
In our practice we recommend cessation of smoking or vaping 4 weeks prior to and for 4 weeks after surgery. And if you stopped, why start again? The nicotine is the offending agent. There should be no problem vaping E-juice free of nicotine.I recommend you make your surgeon aware of your habit and follow his / her direction.
Best wishes...

Vaping - nicotine and no nicotine before rhinoplasty? How long do I have to stop before and after the surgery?

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