Smoking/Surgery???? - Cosmetic / Plastic Surgery Message Board

princess72 · 07-11-2005, 04:44 PM

Does anyone know if you can be a smoker, when having a tummy tuck? I do know, that with certain procedure's you HAVE TO quit! I had a horrible experience, being a smoker when i had my breast lift done! I did quit----but i guess not long enough (i quit 2 months before). Just wondering???? I want to make sure that i have plenty of time, being a non smoker, before having this done.

BlndBtrfly · 07-12-2005, 12:31 AM

I wonder the same. I hear different doctors suggest different amounts of time you should not have smoked prior to surgery. I don't think it depends on the surgery...doesn't it have more to do with your breathing under anesthesia?

I smoke too...heavily actually (2 packs a day approx). It's going to be hard to quit long enough before my surgery..I actually wonder if it is all that bad to go under anesthesia as a smoker? Why is it so bad? I am still young (22) so I'm sure I will breathe just fine.

alsaser · 07-12-2005, 03:54 AM

I'm having a nasal surgery done and the dr told me quit two weeks before surgery (that's gonna be tough!!!) You have to call and ask your doctor. They tell you this b/c smoking decreases the body's blood vessels and oxygen this can affect your results. It doesn't matter how young and/or healtyh you are. 2 months sounds like plenty of time, but ask your doctor concerning this procedures. My doc told me not to smoke for at least a week after. AAAAAAAHHH! Only a smoker will understand...how am I gonna make it for 3 weeks?

princess72 · 07-12-2005, 06:59 AM

Whatever you do QUIT SMOKING!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If, your doc tells you to! I have horror stories, about what happened to me. The reason i asked this ? is i was curious how long someone quit, if they had a tummy tuck. For instance, some PS, have told me that only certain surgeries....breast augmentation (i smoked) nothing happened. Breast lift (i smoked) HORRIBLE RESULTS....and i DIDNT HEAL!!! My 3rd surgery....Breast lift redone (quit smoking 2 months prior) DIDNT HEAL............ results are better!!! I guess, you just shouldnt smoke!!!! I went in for consultation for labiaplasty----my PS, told me you dont have to quit smoking! IM CONFUSED!!!

alsaser · 07-14-2005, 01:16 AM

Now I'm really confused too. I went to another consultation today and the lady told me I don't need to quit. She said it doesn't affect healing, just during the anestesia process it may make it worse. She said, you should cut down maybe, but its ok. But everywhere I looked online it says don't smoke at least 2 weeks before. The best thing is, you're right, don't smoke cause you want to look right and heal properly. You won't look back and regret quitting for a month.