Can Smoking Cause Necrosis(tissue Death) 3 Months Post Breast Surgery?

Question

I had breast implant removal and a breast lift using the inverted-T technique. I smoked 2 mini cigars last week on vacation. And one this week. This past weekend I noticed a hardening at the top of my right breast. Feels like a thick muscle. Then, I smoked a half of a mini cigar last night and this morning I noticed more hardening in the actual breast. I just remembered that smoking is not good for wound healing prior to surgery and after. I am 3 months out. I am not a regular smoker.

Young R. Cho, MD, PhD · Answer

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.  Given your findings 3 months after surgery, I would visit with your plastic surgeon who can help assess what is going on.

Lewis Albert Andres, MD · Answer

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 where the viability of the
 nipple-areolar 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.  This remote from your initil procedure, it may not be the cause, but rather from the procedure alone causing the necrosis.  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!

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

In my opinion, unlikely that the limited “smoking” has caused the hardening in the breast tissue that you are noticing 3 months after surgery. Much more likely that this is related to surgical scarring or fat necrosis etc.

	 Always best to have a new “breast finding” evaluated by your physicians. In-person examination will be necessary to provide you with a diagnosis and/or treatment recommendations.

	 Best wishes.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

It is unlikely that socail smoking at this point in time would have caused problems. It may be fat necrosis that you are now feeling as the swelling has come down. Best to be seen by your surgeon.

Jourdan Gottlieb, MD · Answer

Although I am not convinced that that is what may be occurring in ;your breasts, it can happen. A visit to your surgeon for an examination is in order, as is avoiding smoking, and avoiding second hand smoke.

	All the best.

Can Smoking Cause Necrosis(tissue Death) 3 Months Post Breast Surgery?

Answers (5)

Answer: Smoking and firmness in breast

Answer: Smoking and firmness in breast

Answer: Can Smoking Cause Necrosis(tissue Death) 3 Months Post Breast Surgery?

Answer: Can Smoking Cause Necrosis(tissue Death) 3 Months Post Breast Surgery?

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Can Smoking Cause Necrosis(tissue Death) 3 Months Post Breast Surgery?

Answers (5)

Answer: Smoking and firmness in breast

Answer: Smoking and firmness in breast

Answer: Can Smoking Cause Necrosis(tissue Death) 3 Months Post Breast Surgery?

Answer: Can Smoking Cause Necrosis(tissue Death) 3 Months Post Breast Surgery?

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Everything you need to know about Breast Implant Removal

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