Will exposure to second hand smoke after tummy tuck affect my healing?

Question

I am 4 weeks post op and my friend smoked in the car beside me and i was exposed to second hand smoke. What consequences will i have to face as a result of this? Will my scar suffer and not be thin anymore?

Lane Smith, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  We tell our patients to avoid smoking and exposure to second hand smoke for at least 4 weeks post op.  If this only happened the one time, there should be no ill effects as a result of minor secondhand smoke exposure.Best regards,Dr. Lane F. Smith, MDPlastic SurgeonLas Vegas, NV

Himansu Shah, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question. I concur with the other comments made. If it is an isolated second hand smoke exposure it is probably not going to harm you. Smoking and second hand smoking on regular basis would have an impact on wound healing.  It is also best to discuss this with your board-certified plastic surgeon. Good luck.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question, and I am sorry to hear your anxiety in your narrative.  If you only had this exposure as an isolated incident, it is unlikely that it will cause any issues with your tummy tuck result or scar.  If you were an active smoker, or constantly around second-hand smoke, there would be greater wound healing issues, but this incident should not materially affect you.  Best wishes on your remaining recovery

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

I doubt any secondhand smoke would have any effect on healing after and abdominoplasty. Try to avoid it but down agonize over it.

Vasdev Rai, MD · Answer

An isolated incidence such as described by you will not harm you.  4 weeks after surgery you are quite safe.

Derby Sang Caputo, MD · Answer

Smoking is definetely bad or you after surgery but second hand smoke does not cause harm ... as far as we know. Try to avoid situations where you could be exposed to smoke but do not get stressed about it. Best of luck

Todd C. Case, MD · Answer

Smoke exposure of any kind is bad for your wound healing and infection risk.  Smoke causes vasoconstriction which in turn decreases the blood flow to the  tiny blood vessels at the edges of the healing wound.  It can cause the wound to not heal or increase the risk of infection.  Staying away from smoke is advised for at least three weeks after abdominoplasty surgery.

Neil T. Chen, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question. Since you are 4 weeks post op, I do not think there will be any effect on the healing or scar quality. In general, however, avoid it whenever possible.

Will exposure to second hand smoke after tummy tuck affect my healing?

Answers (8)

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