Is quitting smoking 14 days prior to mommy makeover enough time to reduce risks?

Hello! Thank you for your question! The issue with nicotine is that it
also acts as a vasoconstrictor, clamping down of blood vessels. Blood
supply is always of great concern during any surgical procedure, but
especially in such a procedure as a mastopexy and ummy tuck where the viability of the
nipple-areolar complex as well as skin/tissue and belly button is obviously important. Since the vascularity to
the area is already tenuous since it will be raised by cutting around
the area, maximizing blood flow to the tissue is critical. Typically,

we recommend at least 6 weeks of smoking cessation prior to and at
least 6 weeks after any surgical procedure. The longer, the better.
Nicotine always increases the risk for infection, nipple necrosis, poor
scarring, and
wound complications, as well as other health consequences including blood clots. The
anesthesia risk is greater with general anesthesia as well as pulmonary
issues/lung infections postoperatively. I would
discuss this with your surgeon prior to your procedure. Hope that this
helps! Best wishes!

Smoking brings a significant risk of cancer, stroke, heat attack, etc. From a Plastic Surgery standpoint it is a vasoconstrictor. Wound healing is all about getting oxygen and needed entities to the wound. It is well known that patient who smoke have a tremendous increase in their rate of serious complications, (infections, wounds falling apart, etc.). Nicotine is the main vasoconstrictor, so getting a patch or lozenge of nicotine won't help the vasoconstriction. Best to be off the tobacco/nicotine entirely before surgery. Please be honest with your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. Together you can make a plan to quit and proceed with surgery. The amount of time between quitting and surgery will depend on the Plastic Surgeon and the procedure.

Smoking increases the risks of many complications during and after surgery. It is reccomendded that patients stop smoking atleast one month prior to surgery. The longer you stop, the better.

My typical recommendation when a patient is undergoing a tummy tuck and breast lift and augmentation is to quit smoking 2-3 months prior to your surgery date. 

We require our patients to have quit smoking 2 weeks before a tummy tuck, breast lift, or facelift because of the specific risks of healing associated with nicotine exposure. Keep in mind that you haven't really quit until whatever withdrawal symptoms you will have are over as well; until then it is just good intentions.