Smoking. . .

[masti]

am not an big smoker-only when I drink some cocktails. My PS does not want me to smoke for two weeks before the surgery. I have been really good, but have cheated some. Has anyone been a heavy smoker and had a procedure? How did you do it and what do you think about it?

[nba]

I'm in the same boat. I've cut back to 3 cigs per day (and they are Capri lights!) but I can't totally quit. My surgery is in 10 days. I figure I won't smoke at ALL the week before. It's so hard. That being said, I have had PS (facial) while being a light smoker and it didn't seem to make any difference re: the healing. I am hoping by a smoker the PS is referring to a SMOKER.. like 10 or more a day. Are we deluding ourselves?

[ani]

I had a tummy-tuck w/ muscle repair, breast lift and breast aug. last Sept.8, 2005. My PS said no smoking 4 weeks before AND after. It has to do with blood flow to the capillaries that allow you to heal properly, and in some cases if there is not enough blood flow you will develope "necrosis" or skin death. Go to the tummy-tuck board and go through the threads to find pictures of this, or maybe check the pictures on the tool bar above for necrosis. Anyhoo, about a month ago I had to have one of my implants replaced, so it was kind of like just what is done in an augmentation only, and I smoked the very morning it was done, and did fine. My PS said its not as much of a big deal for more minor procedures without as much disection as there is in a tt or bl. It was kind of a quick decision to replace my implant (it deflated due to a faulty valve-very rare, he said), I only had 4 days and decided not to, could not, really, quit (I smoke about 15-20 cigarettes per day, generally). I did quit for a full 5 weeks before my tt and bl/ba and 10 days after. I don't know why or how I found it in me to quit then- well, look at the necrosis pictures, that may motivate you more than you know. Anyway, if you want to have the best outcome, try to be good and quit. If you don't, it is kind of a risk and if something does go wrong you will always wonder if you could have avoided it if you had only quit... Be strong, and if it helps, remind yourself that it is only temporary and you can smoke it up as much as you want in a couple of weeks, that helped me. Of course it goes without saying it would be better for us all to quit for good, PS or not. Well, good luck to all you fellow smokers out there. Take care, Sarah. (sorry so long )

[masti]

Thak you so much for that. I started to believe that I was the only one going through cigarett withdrawels. I know that I shouldn't be doing it and I recommend that non follow in my footsteps, but thank you for those that have gone through these things and can help me understand-thanks

[nba]

I am an ex-smoker and I quit primarily because the ps said I had to or he would not do my bl/ba. I picked 9/11 to stop because I knew I would always remember that date and my surgery was 10/26. Sometimes I felt like I couldn't be in my own skin, but I kept my focus on this surgery and how important it was for me to quit, and that's what kept me going. I have not had one since 9/11 and I feel wonderful! It really does affect the way you heal. Do a google search for skin necrosis and maybe the pictures will help you. It's not a pretty sight. You can do it, girl. If I can, anyone can and you will be doing your body a huge favor when it comes time for healing. Good luck and think about what's more important to you...

[ani]

Ladies, I don't smoke so of course this is so easy for me to say . . . don't smoke before your surgery. Really, if it helps not to smoke than try really hard. Tie your hands together or something! I don't smoke, I had BA and a tt w/mr and I got necrosis on my tt and it SUCKED SO BAD!!!! There is another person (tt) who got necrosis that was nine inches long and it was so deep it went all the way to the muscle. Now if it sucks on a tt (I am awaiting revision because I have a 'nice' healed hole in my stomach) I would die if I got necrosis on my boob. I don't want to lose skin and meat there. Yikes. Anyway, good luck, and try really hard!

[nba]

I was a heavy smoker(1 pack a day) before and still am. I cut back for one month before my TT/BA although I still smoked one a day. I was completely honest with my ps though. He said the most important and crucial time is the 24 hours before and after surgery. Whatever you do be upfront with your dr. By the way necrosis is not caused by smoking, smoking can be a contributing factor with it, but is not the sole cause. The main cause for necrosis is skin being pulled way to tight like with a tummy tuck.

[sarah34]

Originally Posted by masti

am not an big smoker-only when I drink some cocktails. My PS does not want me to smoke for two weeks before the surgery. I have been really good, but have cheated some. Has anyone been a heavy smoker and had a procedure? How did you do it and what do you think about it?

At the very least, do not smoke for 24 hours before the surgery. Smoking will reduce your bodies ability to heal.