When it comes to plastic surgery recovery, nicotine is one of the biggest threats to healing. Whether from cigarettes, vaping, or even nicotine patches, this chemical makes it harder for your body to repair itself after surgery.
How Nicotine Damages Healing
Nicotine shrinks your blood vessels. Smaller vessels mean less blood flow, and less blood flow means less oxygen and nutrients reach your fresh wounds. Your body needs both of these to heal well. Without them, your risk of problems after surgery skyrockets. These risks include:
- Tissue necrosis (skin or tissue death)
- Seromas (fluid build-up)
- Open wounds that don’t close properly
The good news? Your body starts to bounce back quickly once you stop nicotine. Even one month off can make a huge difference in your healing.
When to Stop Nicotine Before Surgery
I strongly recommend stopping nicotine at least one month before surgery. This gives your blood vessels time to recover, which allows oxygen and nutrients to flow normally again. Healing improves, and your risks drop.
If you quit for a full year, the benefits go beyond surgery. Your risk of stroke and heart attack also falls dramatically and gets much closer to that of someone who never smoked.
How to Quit Nicotine Successfully
Quitting is tough, but many of my patients have done it with great success. Here are common ways:
- Cold turkey – stopping on your own without help
- Medications – like Chantix or Wellbutrin, which reduce cravings
- Nicotine patches – though these still must be stopped at least one month before surgery
Beyond the method, it’s key to understand why you smoke. Is it stress relief, a habit you picked up from friends, or a way to relax? Once you know the root cause, you can work on replacing smoking with something healthier, like exercise, meditation, or a hobby. Replacing the habit works better than just resisting it.
The Bottom Line
If you’re planning surgery, make quitting nicotine a top priority. Even one month nicotine-free will boost your healing and lower your risks. And if you can quit for good, your whole body—not just your surgical recovery—will thank you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is nicotine bad for healing after surgery?
Nicotine shrinks your blood vessels, which cuts off oxygen and nutrients your wounds need. This slows healing and increases risks like tissue death, fluid build-up, and open wounds.
How long before surgery should I quit nicotine?
It’s best to quit at least one month before surgery. This gives your blood vessels time to recover and improves healing after your procedure.
Does vaping hurt healing the same way smoking does?
Yes. Vaping still delivers nicotine, which damages healing just like cigarettes or patches. You need to stop all nicotine products before surgery.
What are the best ways to quit smoking before surgery?
Many people succeed by quitting cold turkey, using medications like Chantix or Wellbutrin, or using nicotine patches. Remember, patches also need to be stopped at least one month before surgery.
If I quit nicotine forever, will my health improve?
Yes. After just one year nicotine-free, your risk of heart attack and stroke drops dramatically and gets much closer to the risk of someone who never smoked.
