Will Smoking Marijuana Affect my Recovery from Breast Augmentation Surgery?

Thank for your question. Make sure you follow the advice of your surgeon. However, I generally don't tell patients to avoid marijuana post-operatively as it does not have any appreciable effect on healing or recovery. I do however strongly advise against smoking nicotine-containing products as this does have a significant adverse effect on healing.

The effect that marijuana has on a patients post-op result is the subject of many recent discussions, especially in the context of marijuana being legalized in more and more states and also as vaping becomes more prevalent.  There are lots of studies on the issue but it is difficult since there is little standardization with regards to the ingredients in a particular "joint."That being said, it is probably fair to say that the use of marijuana will not help in your recovery...  (although many do  espouse the benefit of marijuana in decreasing nausea...)  What I really "fear" is anything containing nicotine - cigarettes and vaping of nicotine should truly be avoided for a number of weeks pre and post op.  From my perspective - I do not object to intermittent marijuana use in he context of surgery but it is very difficult to generalize.

We tell all patients who use nicotine to stop pre and post operatively as this has deleterious effects on wound healing. When it comes to smoking (tobacco or marijuana) there are chemicals in the smoke that may effect wound healing and/or increase risk of bleeding.  So we recommend patients follow the same pre and post operative instructions to stop smoking all products.  With that said, we don't feel there is an issue with patients consuming edible marijuana products.

Although marijuana does not contain the same ingredients as cigarettes, they do share something in common which is carbon monoxide.  Nicotine which is present in cigarettes but not in marijuana is a strong vasoconstrictor which means it makes the blood vessels clamp down and tighten up causing a decrease in blood flood.  This is obviously not good for an area that is trying to heal.  Marijuana does not have this effect but, when smoked does cause a decrease of readily available oxygen to the tissues, by the presence of carbon monoxide.
Therefore, I ask my patients who are using marijuana for its medicinal uses to switch to edibles during there recovery, which is the 4 weeks before and after surgery.  Although, I do warn all my patients who smoke cigarettes/marijuana that their capsular contracture rate is higher because of smoking when you compare them to the population that does not smoke.
Hope that helps.

Hi and thank you for your question.It is recommended that you stop smoking 3 weeks before and 3 weeks after surgery.  Smoking can cause post operative complications . Better to be safe than sorry. Best of luck!

Hello! Thank you for your question! The issue with nicotine, or any inhalational agent, in 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 breast augmentation where the viability of the nipple-areolar complex is obviously important. Since the vascularity to the area is already tenuous with placement of the implant beneath, maximizing blood flow to the tissue is critical. In addition, your respiratory system may be compromised, and potentially have adverse effects with general anesthesia.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, and wound complications, as well as other health consequences. The most devastating consequence is infection, especially since an implantable prosthetic device is used, is increased. This along with wound healing and scarring.  I would discuss this with your surgeon prior to your procedure. Hope that this helps! Best wishes!

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.

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 generally ask patients to stop a couple months ahead of surgery and then for a couple months after surgery.

It’s important that patients stop smoking both cigarettes
and marijuana for at least two weeks prior to breast augmentation.They should also avoid smoking for at least
two weeks following surgery as well. Since
marijuana doesn’t contain nicotine, it doesn’t cause the significant
vasoconstriction that cigarette smoking causes.Despite this, smoking marijuana can have a negative impact on breathing
and airway function.For these reasons,
it’s important to discuss this issue with your plastic surgeon before
undergoing breast augmentation surgery.

Great question. I ask all of my patients to hold off from smoking at least 4 weeks before surgery and 4 weeks after surgery. While marijuana does not have nicotine, which is found in tobacco products, it still has other negative side effects. These include coughing, which can lead to bleeding during recovery. anesthetic effects, which change how patients tolerate anesthesia and how much they need. And they could potentially impact your healing as well (though not as clearly defined as with tobacco or cigarette products). Therefore, if undergoing a completely elective surgery such as breast augmentation, I think it's best to wait at least 4 weeks to make sure you have a good outcome. You've come so far to stop now.
-David Mattos, New York Plastic Surgical Group