It is imperative to discontinue nicotine use before any surgical procedure, but especially with plastic surgery, because nicotine has a serious impact on the body’s ability to heal.
Nicotine, found in cigarettes, vapes, patches, and pouches, affects blood flow by narrowing blood vessels, which makes it harder for oxygen to reach your tissues. When your body doesn’t get enough oxygen, wounds heal more slowly, putting you at risk for complications such as, necrosis and serious, which ultimately can impact the long-term aesthetic outcome.
How Nicotine Affects the Body and Healing Process
Nicotine causes blood vessels to tighten, making it difficult for oxygen-rich blood to reach your tissues. Oxygen is vital for healing wounds, so without enough of it, your body struggles to repair itself.
For plastic surgery, where clear skin and healthy healing are key, nicotine creates serious issues that prolong recovery, and consequently, makes it harder to get the optimal results you want.
When nicotine interferes with healthy blood flow, it commonly increases the risk necrosis, or tissue death. Necrosis, is a complication that occurs when cells don’t get enough oxygen and nutrients, causing parts of the skin or tissue to completely die off. This risk is especially high in surgeries that involve skin or tissue removal.
Even if you stop using nicotine right before surgery, it won’t immediately absolve these risks. However, quitting well in advance gives your blood vessels time to recover, improving blood flow and giving your body a better chance to minimize risks and promote successful healing.
Risks of Continuing Nicotine Use Before Plastic Surgery
Using nicotine before plastic surgery significantly increases your chances of facing several serious complications. One of the main risks is delayed wound healing, which can lead to infections, requiring weeks to months of wound care, and in turn, can impact scarring later on.
Since plastic surgery often focuses on appearance, having complications like these can affect your final results, leaving you with outcomes that may not look as planned. Infections can also be painful, require additional medical treatment, and extend your recovery time, making the whole experience more challenging.
Another risk of nicotine use before surgery is related to anesthesia. Nicotine can interfere with how your body reacts to anesthesia, raising the likelihood of complications such as breathing problems or irregular heartbeats during surgery.
Anesthesia is carefully managed for safety, but nicotine makes this process harder, which can make the surgery itself riskier. Because of these issues, surgeons often recommend quitting nicotine weeks before surgery to help reduce these risks and to ensure the anesthesia process goes smoothly.
Different Forms of Nicotine and Why They All Pose Risks
All forms of nicotine, whether from cigarettes, vapes, patches, or pouches, pose risks to your health and your surgery results. Smoking cigarettes delivers nicotine directly into your bloodstream, causing immediate tightening of blood vessels, which limits oxygen flow. This impact on blood circulation makes it difficult for your body to heal, especially after surgery.
Many people assume that switching to “healthier” options like vapes or e-cigarettes is safer, but these also contain nicotine, which has the same negative effects on healing.
Nicotine patches and pouches may seem like harmless alternatives, especially for those trying to quit smoking. However, because they still contain nicotine, they still cause the same issues with blood flow and tissue healing.
Although they’re designed to help people quit gradually, they don’t eliminate the risks nicotine brings to the surgical process. For the best chance at a smooth recovery, it’s important to avoid all types of nicotine well in advance of surgery, so your body has time to fully flush it out and get back to a healthier state.
How Long Should You Abstain from Nicotine During the Surgical Process?
Surgeons generally recommend quitting nicotine at least 6 weeks before surgery and for 6 weeks after. This timeframe gives your body a chance to clear nicotine from your system and for your blood vessels to return to their normal size, allowing better oxygen flow to your tissues.
Some may wonder if quitting just a week before surgery is enough. Nicotine stays in the body for an extended period, which continues to impact blood flow and healing even upon quitting. Longer abstinence reduces these risks and increases the likelihood of a healthy recovery.
It’s important to be aware that nicotine can stay detectable in tests for days or even weeks after quitting, which is why many surgeons may perform a nicotine test before surgery. This test ensures that nicotine is out of your system and that your body is better prepared for healing.
Tips for Successfully Quitting Nicotine Before Surgery
Quitting nicotine during the surgical process can be challenging, but there are many resources and strategies to help. Support groups, both in-person and online, can be a great place to find encouragement from others who are also trying to quit. Talking with friends and family for support can make the process feel less isolating.
Additionally, many hospitals and clinics offer counseling services or programs specifically designed to help patients quit before surgery, providing you with extra guidance and motivation.
For those worried about nicotine withdrawal, there are non-nicotine alternatives that can help. Using sugar-free gum, hard candies, or even taking up new activities like deep breathing exercises can help manage cravings without turning to nicotine. Talking with your surgeon about your concerns can also provide helpful tips and a personalized plan.
Protecting Your Health and Surgical Outcomes by Quitting Nicotine
Abstaining from nicotine during the pre and post operative process is one of the best steps you can take to ensure a safer operation and a smoother recovery, with better overall health. Nicotine’s impact on blood flow, wound healing, and anesthesia can make surgery much riskier, especially for plastic surgery, where precise healing is crucial.
Giving your body ample time to clear nicotine out of your system, you’re helping to prevent serious complications.
Avoiding all forms of nicotine well in advance of your surgery truly makes a difference in your recovery and the quality of your results.
