Can I vape after gynecomastia surgery?

Question

So I had gynecomastia surgery a week and 2 days ago, and I am a vape. I saw my PS yesterday and everything is looking great, with my healing coming along perfectly. However I am a vaper and am wondering if it would be detrimental to my recovery if I were to start vaping again. I am very worried about blood flow to the nipples and understand that nicotine is a vasoconstrictor, but how risky is it to vape after a week and a day? Thanks.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question and congratulations on your procedure.  After 9 days you are likely fine to start vaping without significant impact to your healing but smoking of any kind can hamper your scar maturation process so try and limit your use as much as possible.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Asking your PS at your follow-up appointment would have been a great opportunity as PSs differ on their post operative guidelines.  Better than smoking, vaping still has a negative effect on wound healing.  I would not take the risk in jeopardizing your recovery.Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Jeremy S. Hurren, BSc, MBBS, FRCS (Plast) · Answer

I certainly strongly advise my patients to stop smoking for surgery. Vaping may be less harmful but as you say may still cause vaso-constriction and so potentially damage the blood supply to the nipple.You mention that you are very worried about blood flow to the nipple so the safest approach is to avoid vaping until the wounds are healing well and the blood supply to the nipple is beyond doubt.You could discuss this with your plastic surgeon and ask if there is any evidence of blood supply problems with your nipples. If the blood supply is fragile then vaping could tip the balance towards necrosis.

David E. Berman, MD (retired) · Answer

you are 9 days from surgery and it is unlikely that you will have healing problems now. you can  vape with a non-nicotine product which would be much preferred, if you really want to vape.other plastic surgeons may be more conservative than me, but at 9 days, you are probably not taking a huge chance. of course, always safest not to do it at all. david berman md

Can I vape after gynecomastia surgery?

Answers (4)

Answer: You can always vape with a non-nicotine product

Answer: You can always vape with a non-nicotine product

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Everything you need to know about Gynecomastia Surgery

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Can I vape after gynecomastia surgery?

Answers (4)

Answer: You can always vape with a non-nicotine product

Answer: You can always vape with a non-nicotine product

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Gynecomastia Surgery

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.