Smoking After Liposuction and Fat Grafting

Question

How long after a Fat Grafting is it safe to smoke? I had Liposuction and Fat grafted to my abdomen to correct a previous Liposuction. Thank you.

Steven H. Williams, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question -
Smoking can create serious problems post-operatively especially when you're talking about fat transfer.  
Nicotine (in addition to other harms) causes vasoconstriction of the blood vessels.  This can cause the transferred fat to not be able create its own blood supply and die.
 
I hope this helps.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question regarding smoking after undergoing liposuction and fat grafting. It's important to consider how smoking can affect your recovery and the overall success of your fat grafting procedure.

Smoking can significantly impair your healing process due to the way nicotine constricts blood vessels, which reduces blood flow to the tissues. Adequate blood flow is crucial for the survival of the fat cells that have been transferred to your abdomen. Smoking can increase the risk of complications such as poor wound healing, increased risk of infection, and higher rates of fat graft failure (where the transferred fat does not survive).

Most surgeons advise their patients to stop smoking at least 4 to 6 weeks before surgery and to continue avoiding smoking for at least 4 to 6 weeks after surgery, or longer if possible. The longer you refrain from smoking, the better the blood flow to the healing tissues, and the better your overall recovery will be.

Since you have had fat grafted to your abdomen, it is particularly important to avoid smoking to maximize the survival of the grafted fat cells. If you smoke too soon after your procedure, you risk compromising the results by causing more of the transferred fat cells to die off.

I strongly recommend discussing your smoking cessation plans with your plastic surgeon, who can provide you with specific guidance based on the details of your surgery and your overall health. Additionally, your surgeon might recommend resources or support programs to help you quit smoking, which can be beneficial not only for your surgical results but also for your long-term health.

Continuing to avoid smoking will play a critical role in ensuring the best possible outcomes from your liposuction and fat grafting procedure.

Sincerely,

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FASMBS, FICS
Plastic Surgeon

Ozge Ergun, MD · Answer

Thanks for the question. You should wait a couple of months because your operation area trying to get healed. Then after yes you can do smoke and drink. I wish you all the best.

John P. Di Saia, MD · Answer

Hello,
When is it safe? Good question. Smoking can cause problems with healing.
Fat grafting is not always so effective anyway. I would wait a good several months or when your doctor says it is OK.

George J. Beraka, MD (retired) · Answer

Hi.

	It takes about three weeks for the new little blood vessels to grow into the transferred fat to make sure it survives.  And smoking interferes with blood supply.

Smoking After Liposuction and Fat Grafting

Answers (5)

Answer: Smoking can hurt things

Answer: Smoking can hurt things

Answer: Do not smoke for 3 weeks after liposuction and fat transfer.

Answer: Do not smoke for 3 weeks after liposuction and fat transfer.

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Smoking After Liposuction and Fat Grafting

Answers (5)

Answer: Smoking can hurt things

Answer: Smoking can hurt things

Answer: Do not smoke for 3 weeks after liposuction and fat transfer.

Answer: Do not smoke for 3 weeks after liposuction and fat transfer.

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Liposuction

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