Tummy Tuck Recovery While Being a Smoker, is This Okay?

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.

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 tummy tuck where the viability of the
skin/tissue, abdominal wall repair, and belly button complex 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!

Hi there-

It is very important, if you value your safety and the improvement in your body that you will get through a well-done tummy tuck, that you be completely nicotine free for at least 3-4 weeks before surgery and the same time period after.

If you do not abstain from all nicotine exposure for this time period, your risks of not looking your best, or worse, having a serious complication with un-planned medical care and expenses are dramatically increased.

The right thing to do is usually easier to understand than it is to do. But it's still the right thing. 

As with any surgery, especially if you are having a general anesthesia, smoking is not recommended. People who smoke have higher risk of complications after general anesthesia.

Smoking before and after a tummy tuck can definitely hinder your recovery. First of all, trying to cough after surgery is very difficult, and painful. If you have any type of cough following tummy tuck surgery the chances of damaging the repair is higher.

Secondly the blood supply to the incision is compromised in a smoker. The incision does not get significant oxygenated blood to aid in the healing process. The patient may experience breakdown of the incision. This can extend to loss of tissue and skin around the incision (gangrene) . The recovery period is extended and the patient may need to have additional surgery to repair the breakdown.

It is recommend that a patient try to stop smoking at least one month prior to surgery, and to not start again until healing is complete.

Smoking leads to decreased blood flow to the skin, During a tummy tucky your excess skin is cut away and the remaining skin edges are sutured together. The belly button is released and reattached through a new opening in the skin flap that is pulled down. Both the belly button and the skin that is pulled down to create a tight tummy are at risk to have poor blood flow when you are a smoker. The belly button can actually necrose and the wounds can have very delayed healing. Quit smoking at least 3 months before any surgery and also for your general health.