I'm having breast augmentation in 5 days and I just quit smoking - is that enough time for the nicotine leave my body?

Thank you for your question.Not that smoking is a good thing, but it typically does not interfere with breast augmentation.

To be sure, see two or more experienced,
board-certified Plastic Surgeons for a complete evaluation to make sure you are
a good candidate and that it is safe for you to have surgery.

I hope this helps.

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 inquiry.  Some studies have shown that smoking-related complications decrease if the person has stopped at least a month prior to surgery, so I recommend my patients stop for this amount of time (or more if possible). That stated, I have performed breast augmentation on smoking patients and in my experience they have not had problems.  It's best to ask your own surgeon because they will likely have their own guidelines.

Thank you for the question, I recommend my patients don't smoke for 4 weeks before and 4 weeks after any major surgery including breast augmentation. Even though the nicotine could be out of your system in 5 days you don't want to interfere with they healing process at all. You spend a lot of money for these elective surgeries and you don't want to compromise your ability to heal properly by smoking.

I advise all my patients to stop smoking prior to surgery to decrease complications with anesthesia such as respiratory issues and wound healing and blood flow in surgical concerns. However many patients can not stop and they sign informed consents stating they know there are increased risks with continued smoking.To answer your question it takes about 2 weeks to clear most smoke byproducts  and nicotine out of body but 6 weeks much more ideal. I have many patients especially in breast augmentation that smoke thru out the operative phases and have no problems. Best of Luck,  stop now :-) and inform your doctor.