Nicotine test for breast aug, tummy tuck and lipo

Question

I took a Corinne/nicotine test. -it detects metabolite in human urine cut off at 200ng/ml. It shows negative. Am I good for tummy tuck surgery?

Anita Patel, MD, FACS · Answer

That's the wrong question to be asking, and the wrong way to look at this. This is more about optimizing your chances for a successful outcome, than it is about passing a test. I ask patients to stop nicotine at least 4 weeks before surgery, if not 6, and plan to never resume. Breast implants and smoking do not mix. Smokers have a higher chance of capsular contracture than non-smokers, and can result in needing additional surgeries down the line. Also, nicotine temporarily constricts blood vessels, making it harder to heal any surgical site, and putting you at a greater risk overall. Smokers also have a higher incidence of deep venous thrombosis, which is a possible risk of tummy tuck surgery, and one that has the potential to be fatal. When you are ready to make as big of a change as a breast aug, tummy tuck, and lipo will give you, isn't it worth it to give yourself the gift of not smoking as well? Your skin will look better too. ;)

Richard H. Fryer, MD · Answer

You should stop smoking at least 4 to 6 weeks prior to tummy tuck surgery.  The fact that the test doesn't detect metabolites means absolutely nothing about your risks for wound healing complications.  If you have smoked -- even a single cigarette -- within that time frame the data indicates that you are at higher risk for tissue necrosis and wound healing problems.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Your surgeon is the best one to answer this question as opinions vary.  Nicotine can be very problematic in plastic surgery because it constricts blood vessels which can lead to issues like necrosis, infection, and poor wound healing.  Many surgeons require patients to stop all forms of nicotine several weeks prior to surgery as well as during recovery.

Chad Robbins, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question .   It's very important to be nicotene free for at least 6 weeks prior to an elective surgery .  I test my patients at 6 weeks and 2 weeks prior to surgery, and at times on day of surgery.

Jeffrey H. Lee, MD · Answer

Hi and thanks for your question.  Unfortunately nicotine levels are different than its effects on your tissue.  So for example, if you quit smoking 1 week ago, your urine test may be negative but the effects and impairments on wound healing may last a month or longer.  I recommend to my patients that they stop any nicotine exposure at least 1 month before surgery to minimize any risks of wound problems after surgery.  Best of luck!

Karl William Schwarz, MD · Answer

I would think that if you have stopped smoking and your nicotine test is negative then you should be fine to safely undergo a tummy tuck.

Rahul Vemula, MD · Answer

Dear Marsh653

Very happy to hear that you were nicotine test was negative. Please inquire with your plastic surgeon to see what your surgeons specific requirement is for surgery.

In my practice I test Everybody three weeks prior to cosmetic surgery for nicotine, and also do the test either the day prior to surgery or the day of surgery.

Each surgeon will have their own preferences. In order to minimize wound healing complications after surgery it is advisable to refrain from all nicotine products including cigarettes, cigars, nicotine gum, nicotine patch, exposure to secondhand smoke, e-cigarette’s a minimum of three weeks prior to surgery and six weeks following surgery.

In order to minimize wound healing complications after surgery it is advisable to refrain from all nicotine products including cigarettes, cigars, nicotine gum, nicotine patch, exposure to secondhand smoke, e-cigarette a minimum of three weeks prior to surgery and six weeks following surgery. 
Best wishes!

Rahul Vemula, MD
Double board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon

Lynn D. Derby, MD (retired) · Answer

For a tummy tuck, I usually recommend stopping all nicotine use at least one month before surgery.  This is because there are lingering effects on the blood vessels which could damage your results.  A nicotine urine test  can go negative much sooner than the blood vessels recover.  
In other words, you might be able to fool your surgeon with a negative urine test, but you can't fool Mother Nature.  Skin and fat necrosis are very ugly.  Don't fool yourself into thinking it can't happen to you.

Nicotine test for breast aug, tummy tuck and lipo

Answers (8)

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