The Great American Smokeout is Thursday, November 19. Each year, the American Cancer Society encourages people who smoke to use the third Thursday in November as day one of a smoke-free life. If cosmetic surgery is on your wish list for the coming months, there’s no better day to start. Quitting nicotine is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your safety, your healing and your results.
How Nicotine Interferes With Healing
Nicotine narrows your blood vessels. After surgery, your body relies on healthy blood flow to deliver oxygen to healing tissue. When that flow drops, the risks rise. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, nicotine use is linked to infection, delayed wound healing, thick or wide scars, blood clots and even the loss of skin in the treated area.
These risks matter most in procedures where skin is lifted and repositioned. Examples include a tummy tuck, facelift, breast lift or mommy makeover. Once the skin is moved, it depends on the blood vessels that remain to keep it healthy while it heals.
Vaping, Patches and Gum Count Too
Many patients assume that switching to a vape or a nicotine patch solves the problem. It doesn’t. The issue is nicotine itself, not just smoke. E-cigarettes, patches, gum, cigars, snuff and chewing tobacco all put nicotine in your bloodstream. Secondhand smoke matters too, so ask the smokers in your household to take it outside.
If you’re using a patch or gum to help you quit, let your surgeon know. Together you can plan a timeline that has you completely nicotine-free well before your surgery date.
How Far Ahead Should You Quit?
ASPS advises patients who smoke to stop at least four weeks before plastic surgery, and many surgeons recommend a longer window. You’ll also need to stay nicotine-free for several weeks after surgery while your incisions heal. Your surgeon will give you an exact timeline based on your procedure and health history.
That’s what makes November 19 such a smart starting point. If you quit that day, you’ll reach four weeks by mid-December and six weeks by the end of the year. That leaves time to plan a winter procedure.
Tips to Help You Quit for Good
- Mark your quit date and share it with friends and family
- Clear cigarettes, vapes and lighters out of your home, car and bag
- Identify your triggers, like coffee or stress, and plan something to do instead
- Ask your primary care physician about quit-smoking support
- Be honest with your surgeon if you slip, since a new surgery date is always better than a complication
A Healthier You Beyond Surgery
Better healing is just the beginning. Smoking remains the most preventable cause of serious illness, and quitting lowers your risk of cancer and other diseases. Many patients find that planning a procedure gives them the motivation they need to quit for good.
Schedule Your Consultation
Thinking about cosmetic surgery in the new year? Dr. Joseph Castellano and Dr. Mindi Giglio will review your health history and help you build a safe plan for your procedure and recovery. Contact Castellano Cosmetic Surgery Center or call (813) 872-6093 to schedule your consultation at our Tampa office.
Author: Dr. Joseph Castellano
Dr. Joseph Castellano is a native Floridian who grew up in the Tampa Bay area. After medical school and residency, Dr. Castellano returned home and has opened a practice in Tampa, Florida focusing on breast augmentation, abdominoplasty, liposuction, facelift, and eyelid rejuvenation. He is a member of the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, American College of Surgeons, and American Medical Association
