Tummy Tuck Recovery and Necrosis Risk Due to Smoking?

First of all even a social or "occasional smoker" is still a smoker and this brings real risks to your surgery. Discuss your risk factors such as your smoking history candidly with your plastic surgeon and ask for his advice and recommendations.

Most experts unanimously agree that smoking increases the risk of most surgical complications significantly. This especially applies to all  lifting such as a tummy tuck procedure that you are scheduled to have done. Just about all plastic surgeons strongly recommend women to stop smoking and all nicotine products well in advance of all plastic surgery and especially lift procedures..  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 constrict ( spasm or  tighten up). Over time, these constricted arteries and capillaries deliver less blood to the tissue which is needed for normal healing. Smokers therefore have an increased incidence of higher likelihood of complications such as tissue sloughing (death by necrosis) and infection.  General complications of surgery such as blood clots (deep venous thrombosis) which can travel to your lungs (pulmonary embolus), anesthetic problems such as pneumonia are also increased.
A recent 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

Smoking brings a significant risk of cancer, stroke, heat attack, etc. From a Plastic Surgery standpoint it is a vasoconstrictor. Wound healing is all about getting oxygen and needed entities to the wound. It is well known that patient who smoke have a tremendous increase in their rate of serious complications, (infections, wounds falling apart, etc.). Nicotine is the main vasoconstrictor, so getting a patch or lozenge of nicotine won't help the vasoconstriction. Best to be off the tobacco/nicotine entirely before surgery. Please be honest with your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. Together you can make a plan to quit and proceed with surgery. The amount of time between quitting and surgery will depend on the Plastic Surgeon and the procedure.

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 tummy tuck where the viability of the belly button and skin flaps are obviously important. Since the vascularity to the area is already tenuous with the dissection of the abdominal tissue as well as cutting around the belly button, maximizing blood flow to the tissue is critical. 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, skin flap necrosis, and wound complications, as well as other health consequences.   There is an increase pulmonary risk with the anesthesia and postop lung infections.  The most devastating consequence of infection, especially since the tissue is tightened, is increased. This along with wound healing and scarring. I would discuss this with your surgeon prior to your procedure. Hope that this helps! Best wishes!

Smoking will increase your risk of skin necrosis for any form of plastic surgery. Because most of our work is often at the level of the skin, or is at least somehow altering the tension on the skin (usually increasing it), we are very sensitive to smokers.
In my practice I try not to operate on smokers. f the patient quit for 7 months, as is your case, then I don't consider them a smoker anymore You should be careful to not even so much as smell second hand smoke.. or wait until later in life to quit for real. Don't forget that you also have to be off ciggs for over a month after surgery as well!
Best Wishes,
DoctorMeade

I am not one to scare you but any history of smoking creates a higher risk of necrosis. Studies have shown that cessation of smoking for a minimum of 4 weeks prior to surgery can lower your risks but will not eliminate the risk. In one study EX-smokers still had a 50 fold higher risk of necrosis when compared to NON smokers. It is in your best interest to notify your surgeon of your habit. He/she may modify the procedure to lower the risk of complications. In some individuals, I have recommended that they use home oxygen for the first few days after surgery in order to remain well oxygenated during the recovery process. This can be relatively affordable (under $100) and arranged though a home health service or oxygen delivery agency. Do NOT smoke with oxygen present.