It is recommended that you quit smoking at least six weeks prior to undergoing any plastic surgery procedure. Nicotine is a vasoconstrictor, meaning it delays the body’s healing response by slowing the flow of blood to treatment area. Slowing the body’s natural healing response can result in serious complications including increased risks for infection along with aesthetic issues such as thick and visible scars. To avoid these problems, Orlando cosmetic surgeon Dr. Scott Greenberg strongly encourages our patients to eliminate nicotine entirely in the months leading up to surgery.
Smoking and Breast Surgery
Nicotine is known to cause vasospasm in breast surgery patients. A vasospasm is a sudden constriction of blood vessels, often occurring near the nipple of breast augmentation and breast lift patients. When vasospasm occurs, deep muscle and tissue pain is common, both of which can further complicate recovery and result in serious, untreatable discomfort.
e-Cigarettes, nicotine patches and gum, and other alternative nicotine delivery mechanisms are not suitable methods of quitting when preparing for plastic surgery. Because it is the nicotine itself and not the some 4,000 other harmful chemicals in tobacco that complicate plastic surgery recovery and results, simply replacing cigarettes with another tobacco-derived product will not serve any useful purpose. During your initial consultation at our Winter Park, Florida office, Dr. Greenberg can discuss this with you in greater detail to help ensure you are fully prepared when the day of your surgery arrives.
If you have questions about plastic surgery preparation in Orlando or surrounding areas of Florida, please contact Winter Park Plastic Surgery & Laser Center to schedule a consultation today. Our board-certified plastic surgeon serves patients living throughout Florida from our Winter Park location.
