Smoking 6 weeks after breast lift and fat transfer?

Question

Hi. I know you get asked a lot of questions about smoking. I gave up before my op and plan to not smoke until 6 weeks po. I will be 4 weeks po on Friday. I know I shouldn't go back to smoking but I am already desperate to! My ps said to wait 6 weeks because of the fat transfer. How harmful will it be after the six weeks (yes I know smoking harms but I mean to the fat transfer results and the breast lift) Thanks.

Joel M. Stewart, Jr., MD · Answer

When fat is transferred to the breast, whether or not the transferred fat lives depends on its ability to establish a new blood supply. This is not immediate and depending on the volume of fat transferred, it can take some time.The best answer is not to smoke for at least 6 weeks after. This should allow time for the vessels to establish themselves. Nicotine inhibits or slows down this process.Also, remember the vaporizers also have nicotine.Good luck.

Young R. Cho, MD, PhD · Answer

Smoking and fat transfer are not a good combination.  The survival of your fat grafts depend on a healthy environment.  I would recommend that you continue to refrain from smoking and if you can extend beyond the six week mark, then even better for surgical results as you are still healing.

Ravi Somayazula, DO · Answer

The ultimate success of your fat transfer procedure to the breast will depend upon the ability of your breast tissue to accept the new fat as its own. The blood vessels in your breasts determine that. The nicotine in smoke can choke those blood vessels and prevent you from getting the best result possible. It can take up to 6 weeks for the newly transferred fat to be part of the new breast. After 6 weeks it will most likely not make too much of a difference as far your ultimate result. Therefore, you should listen to the recommendations of your PS. Good luck. Hang in there!Regards,Dr. Ravi Somayazula

Carlos Recio, MD · Answer

Good morning! To answer your question we do not recommend it. Smoking can accelerate the skin ageing process in the skin. Ageing of the skin means that it droops, develops wrinkles and lines and can become dry and coarse with uneven skin colouring and broken blood vessels (telangiectasia).

Smoking 6 weeks after breast lift and fat transfer?

Answers (4)

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