Will smoking weed affect your breast augmentation?

Question

A lot of Dr's stress the importance of quitting smoking cigarettes before breast augmentation. Does smoking weed have similar effects comparable to those by cigarettes. Is it related to nicotine alone?

S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS · Answer

YES.Smoking marijuana takes in both THC and carbon monoxide.  THC is a drug and in medicine, we always try to avoid negative drug interactions.  There are so many anesthetic agents as well as antibiotics and pain medication one is given around the time of surgery, and there is so little known about the drug interactions of THC with these various medications that it would be foolhardy to mix drugs whose interactions may be dangerous to one's health, especially around the time of cosmetic surgery.Smoking anything is very dangerous because carbon monoxide is a breakdown product of combustion.  This carbon monoxide can attach to one's hemoglobin molecule in place of oxygen leading to poor wound healing and suture line separation.  Interestingly, the hemoglobin molecule would rather carry carbon monoxide than oxygen, and therefore even a little bit of smoking can lead to a big problem before and/or after surgery.

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

Most experts unanimously agree that smoking increases the rate of  breast augmentation surgical complications significantly. Just about all plastic surgeons strongly recommend  women  to stop smoking and all nicotine products well in advance of breast augmentation with breast implants.  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 vasoconstrict ( tighten up). Over time, these constricted arteries and capillaries deliver less blood to the breast tissue which is needed for normal healing. Smokers therefore have an increased incidence of higher likelihood of complications such as infection, and in particular capsular contracture (hardening and distortion of the implants). General complications of surgery such as blood clots, anesthetic problems such as pneumonia are also increased. A 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.In young patients you will probably statistically avoid these complications, why tempt fate by increasing your odds that something bad will happen.On a long term basis, smoking also causes accelerated aging of the skin and loss of elasticity. Hopefully these reasons will help give you the will power and courage to stop smoking.

Ted Eisenberg, DO, FACOS, FAACS · Answer

Both nicotine and carbon dioxide can decrease your oxygen supply. In my practice, the anesthesia team makes the final decision as to whether or not it’s safe to have surgery, so there are no guarantees that you'll be able to have your breast augmentation. The anesthesiologist needs to know about your smoking habits; he or she might express the possibility of some respiratory risks, such as an increased chance of bronchitis after surgery. For more information on this and similar topics, I'd recommend a plastic surgery Q&A book like "The Scoop On Breasts: A Plastic Surgeon Busts the Myths."

Lewis Albert Andres, MD · Answer

Hello!  Thank you for your question!  The issue with nicotine is that it also acts as a vasoconstrictor, clamping down of blood vessels. This can also occur with any inhalation agent.  Blood supply is always of great concern during any surgical procedure, but especially in such a procedure as breast surgery where the viability of the nipple-areolar complex is obviously important.  Since the vascularity to the area is already tenuous since it will be raised by cutting around the area, maximizing blood flow to the tissue is critical. Typically, we recommend at least 6 weeks of smoking cessation prior to any surgical procedure.  Nicotine always increases the risk for infection and wound complications, as well as other health consequences.  This one cigarette will likely not impact vascularity, but I would discuss this with your surgeon prior to your procedure. In addition, any inhalant agent will affect your respiratory system, which is vital during your general anesthesia.   Hope that this helps!  Best wishes!

Robert Kearney, MD, FACS · Answer

Yes smoking weed is similar to smoking cigarrettes. Granted you don't have the exact same affect but if you want to minimize your complications i would  stop the weed also.

Brian K. Reedy, MD · Answer

I recommend that my patients stop all smoking 4 weeks prior to surgery and 4 weeks post operatively. Smoking will affect your healing process.

Sheila S. Nazarian, MD · Answer

Since every surgeon has his or her own post op protocol, I would advise you to speak with your surgeon. I ask my patients to stop smoking -- all smoking -- for 4 weeks before surgery and at least 4 weeks after surgery as it will impair your healing and affect your results. Hope his helps, Dr. Nazarian

Michael M. Omidi, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Smoking marijuana is not advisable pre and post surgery.  It could have effects with some medication or drugs your doctor prescribed.  Usually doctors recommend their patients to stop smoking weed or cigarettes 2-4 weeks prior and after surgery.  Best of luck. Dr. Michael Omidi An in-person exam with a board-certified plastic surgeon is the best way to assess your needs and provide true medical advice.

Tania Medina de Garcia, MD · Answer

Hello dear, thanks for your question, I recommend to my patients to wait until 8 weeks to start smoking because it wont help in your healing process. Good luck :)

William McClure, MD · Answer

Thank you for writing. I agree with the surgeons below. Smoking of any kind can interfere with healing as well as anesthesia during surgery. Ask your surgeon his or her protocol for smoking since we all have different preferences. Best wishes on your upcoming surgery.

Will smoking weed affect your breast augmentation?

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