I am 3 weeks post tummy tuck.. would I know by now if I were going to have complications?

Question

I had tummy tuck scar revision with repair to muscle below belly button and a small area of liposuction above incision. I smoke e-cigarettes containing nicotine. I have quit but now scared, would I know at this point if I were going to have complications???

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Even though you do not want to bother your PS, that is the best person to answer your questions as he/she is aware of any complications during your surgery and the progress of your healing.   Your PS knows your personal risk profile based on your medical history, the elasticity of your skin, the type of abdominoplasty performed, your lifestyle, and other factors.   In general, after the first two weeks of recovery from the TT, you would be "out of the woods" WRT blood clots and wound healing.

Stephen T. Greenberg, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Smoking can increase your risks with any surgery including how scars may heal.  At this point you can't do much about it but I would recommend using a scar cream that your surgeon may recommend and following their post operative care instructions.  Address your concerns and questions with your provider and they will be able to help answer all of your concerns based on your personal situation.  Best of luck to you.

Miguel Mota, MD · Answer

First of all, congratulations on quiting smoking. Nicotine isn't good for you under any circumstances. I hope you take advantage of this and quit for good. There is no specific time frame for complications, so we never fully know. Smoking increases the risks of many complications and I can assume that you had trouble healing due to smoking on your first procedure. And you are probably worried about your scar this time around. If there are no sighs of dehiscence or necrosis after three weeks, you are probably good... at least as far as your scar is concerned.  Best of luck on your recovery!Dr. Miguel Mota

Scott Tucker, MD · Answer

At 3 weeks if you were going to have problems they probably would have shown up by now.  If you have any questions the best thing to do is to check with your plastic surgeon.
Congrats on stopping smoking.
Dr. T

T. Randall Blanchard, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. If you are three weeks out and are having no problems with your skin incisions, then I believe than you are going to do just fine. The majority of  post operative complications related to smoking would most likely be apparent by now. Good luck.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Nicotine constricts blood vessels.  This can mean that your nutrient rich blood supply may not fully reach the area that is healing.  This can lead to complications such as infection, poor wound healing, or even necrosis.  It is best to closely follow your surgeon's instructions when it is okay to resume using nicotine.  Or better yet use this as a great opportunity to quit!

Tania Medina de Garcia, MD · Answer

Hello dear!
Thanks for the question and provided information as well.
Smoking before or after your surgery can increase your risk of developing complications, including infection and wound healing problems. I recommend my patients that it is ideal to stop at least 6 weeks before surgery and then 6 weeks more after surgery.
If you have any concerns, please follow up close with your plastic surgeon.
Good luck :)

Daniel Brown, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thanks for your questions.  After 3 weeks, you would likely be aware if any serious complications had occurred. If all is well at this point, you should be fine.  If you have not needed an ecigarette in 3 weeks, perhaps this is a great opportunity to completely stop for good.  If you have further questions I would encourage you to discuss with your surgeon.Best wishes!Daniel Brown, MD, FACSBoard Certified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic SurgeonsMember, American Society of  Plastic SurgeonsCastle Connolly Top DocReal Self Top 500

Stephen E. Zucker, MD (retired) · Answer

There is no set time for
discovering complications, and in any case, the use of nicotine-containing
products is not a good idea under any circumstances.  If you have taken the time and trouble to
stop, I recommend you stay that way and do yourself a favor by not restarting.

Robert E. Zaworski, MD (retired) · Answer

The nicotine can last for weeks in the body.  It is too soon to know if the e-cigarettes will cause complications.  Check in with your surgeon.

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