Should I be concerned about people vaping nicotine around me before surgery? Is secondhand vape a thing?

Question

I quit smoking cigarettes 2 months ago (yay!) but my boyfriend uses a nicotine vape in the same room as me. Can this affect my healing or trigger a positive nicotine test before surgery? Thanks

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Bright80211,
every surgeon has a preoperative protocol. Most surgeons recommend patients to avoid nicotine products, even as secondhand smoking as it can increase risk of complications. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

John Diaz, MD · Answer

Yes, if you are in the same room as someone who is vaping nicotine, then you will be breathing in secondhand vape.  Nicotine causes narrowing and constriction of the blood vessels, which slows the supply of oxygen and nutrients which in turn, impairs the healing process.  It is advised to avoid being in the same room when someone is vaping nicotine 6 weeks before and after surgery.

Warren Schutte, MD · Answer

Congratulations on quitting nicotine before surgery. That was the best thing you could've done for healing and overall health. Secondhand exposure to vape (although lower levels of toxins) does still cause exposure. I would recommend not being around any secondhand source of nicotine until 4 weeks after surgery.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Congratulations on quitting smoking!  This is great not only for your surgery but for your overall health.  While you probably won't be impacted very much by your boyfriend vaping near you it is better to play it safe and have him vape away from you.  Maybe you can encourage him to quit as well!

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

Typically, there is not as much smoke released with vaping and non-vapers are safer. However, ask him to go vape outside to be safer.  Better yet, he needs to quit. Vaping is actually more harmful than smoking.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

The amount of nicotine you’re absorbing from other people vaping is probably relatively small. I don’t know how sensitive the tests are so that could be a potential issue. Why don’t you ask others to vape in the other room until you have your surgery.
individuals with a history of cigarette smoking will be at risk for complications even after they quit. The risk involved is decreased the longer you’ve been off cigarettes and also the less total number of pack years you’ve smoked over your lifetime.
Smoking increases complications more for some procedures than others. The plastic surgery operations that are at increase risk for healing complications in smokers are specifically breast lifts, breast reductions, facelift, and tummy tucks. these are the operations we’re smoking, can have the most devastating impact.
Talk to your provider if you have questions.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD

Should I be concerned about people vaping nicotine around me before surgery? Is secondhand vape a thing?

Answers (6)

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