Ok so I was told to quit smoking 2 days prior to surgery and 2 weeks after which I thought would be a piece of cake because I have wanted this breast reduction since I was 15. However, I'm am struggling very badly and have slipped up prior and post surgery. I have only had a few and the temptation is around me 24/7 because my fiancé smokes as well as a majority of close family and friends that I am around pretty much on a daily basis. What I want to know is that how harmful would it be to my recovery if I just smoked 2 or 3 ultra light cigs a day? My normal daily average of smoking before surgery was less than 10 a day. I don't have the desire to quit right now but I do want to quit by the time I'm 30 (I'm 26 right now). I can't fight the temptation and I've read mixed articles on the issue. What do I do?! Are my nipples or incisions really going to get infected if I smoke a few cigs a day? This is the only bad habit I have! I don't drink or do drugs and I exercise 5 days a week, so other than smoking I'm pretty healthy.
Answer: Smoking and BA Most experts unanimously agree that smoking increases the rate of breast augmentation surgical complications significantly. Just about all plastic surgeons strongly recommend women to stop smoking and all nicotine products well in advance of breast augmentation with breast implants. Many plastic surgeons recommend stopping all tobacco products several months prior to surgery.Here is the reason why: the nicotine in cigarettes and other tobacco products (including Nicorette gum, patches, etc) is a vasoconstrictor, meaning it makes the Smoking is a significant multiplier of many potential complications following surgery and breast augmentation with implants are no exception. Nicotine from smoking causes blood vessels to vasoconstrict ( tighten up). Over time, these constricted arteries and capillaries deliver less blood to the breast tissue which is needed for normal healing. Smokers therefore have an increased incidence of higher likelihood of complications such as infection, and in particular capsular contracture (hardening and distortion of the implants). General complications of surgery such as blood clots, anesthetic problems such as pneumonia are also increased. A scientific article in the Archives of Internal Medicine indicated that, among all forms of surgery, quitting smoking eight weeks prior was never associated with an increased risk of complications.In young patients you will probably statistically avoid these complications, why tempt fate by increasing your odds that something bad will happen.On a long term basis, smoking also causes accelerated aging of the skin and loss of elasticity. Hopefully these reasons will help give you the will power and courage to stop smoking.
Helpful
Answer: Smoking and BA Most experts unanimously agree that smoking increases the rate of breast augmentation surgical complications significantly. Just about all plastic surgeons strongly recommend women to stop smoking and all nicotine products well in advance of breast augmentation with breast implants. Many plastic surgeons recommend stopping all tobacco products several months prior to surgery.Here is the reason why: the nicotine in cigarettes and other tobacco products (including Nicorette gum, patches, etc) is a vasoconstrictor, meaning it makes the Smoking is a significant multiplier of many potential complications following surgery and breast augmentation with implants are no exception. Nicotine from smoking causes blood vessels to vasoconstrict ( tighten up). Over time, these constricted arteries and capillaries deliver less blood to the breast tissue which is needed for normal healing. Smokers therefore have an increased incidence of higher likelihood of complications such as infection, and in particular capsular contracture (hardening and distortion of the implants). General complications of surgery such as blood clots, anesthetic problems such as pneumonia are also increased. A scientific article in the Archives of Internal Medicine indicated that, among all forms of surgery, quitting smoking eight weeks prior was never associated with an increased risk of complications.In young patients you will probably statistically avoid these complications, why tempt fate by increasing your odds that something bad will happen.On a long term basis, smoking also causes accelerated aging of the skin and loss of elasticity. Hopefully these reasons will help give you the will power and courage to stop smoking.
Helpful
November 21, 2015
Answer: Smoking and breast reduction Thank you for your question. Smoking before or after your surgery can increase your risk of developing complications including infection and wound healing problems. I tell my patients that it is ideal to stop a couple months ahead of surgery and then for a couple months after surgery. Please discuss with your surgeon what their guidelines are for your particular surgery.
Helpful
November 21, 2015
Answer: Smoking and breast reduction Thank you for your question. Smoking before or after your surgery can increase your risk of developing complications including infection and wound healing problems. I tell my patients that it is ideal to stop a couple months ahead of surgery and then for a couple months after surgery. Please discuss with your surgeon what their guidelines are for your particular surgery.
Helpful
July 31, 2014
Answer: I'm 26 and healthy, can I smoke ultra light cigarettes before my breast reduction and be OK? Hello! Thank you for your question! The issue with nicotine is that it
Helpful
July 31, 2014
Answer: I'm 26 and healthy, can I smoke ultra light cigarettes before my breast reduction and be OK? Hello! Thank you for your question! The issue with nicotine is that it
Helpful
May 27, 2014
Answer: Smoking and Breast Reduction Surgery I ask all patients undergoing breast reductions to quit smoking for six weeks prior to their operation. The nicotine from cigarettes can actually cause nipples to die. Additionally, normal wound healing can be affected by the nicotine as well. It sounds like you have continued to smoke around the time of your operation, and you've perhaps been lucky and haven't had any wound healing issues yet.
Helpful
May 27, 2014
Answer: Smoking and Breast Reduction Surgery I ask all patients undergoing breast reductions to quit smoking for six weeks prior to their operation. The nicotine from cigarettes can actually cause nipples to die. Additionally, normal wound healing can be affected by the nicotine as well. It sounds like you have continued to smoke around the time of your operation, and you've perhaps been lucky and haven't had any wound healing issues yet.
Helpful
May 24, 2014
Answer: I'm 26 and healthy, can I smoke ultra light cigarettes before my Breast Reduction and be ok? Thank you for the question. The use of nicotine (in any form) can lead to devastating complications after surgical procedures. Nicotine is a potent constrictor of blood vessels, preventing the delivery of oxygen etc. to surgical sites that require good blood flow to heal. The resulting decreased blood flow leads to potential problems with healing, tissue necrosis, open wounds, infections…Don't even think about the use of nicotine around the time of your surgery.Best wishes
Helpful
May 24, 2014
Answer: I'm 26 and healthy, can I smoke ultra light cigarettes before my Breast Reduction and be ok? Thank you for the question. The use of nicotine (in any form) can lead to devastating complications after surgical procedures. Nicotine is a potent constrictor of blood vessels, preventing the delivery of oxygen etc. to surgical sites that require good blood flow to heal. The resulting decreased blood flow leads to potential problems with healing, tissue necrosis, open wounds, infections…Don't even think about the use of nicotine around the time of your surgery.Best wishes
Helpful
