Answers
"I am considering having a breast lift, and have been for several years. I would like to know how long before such a surgery I would have to quit smoking?"
— Answered by Alan Kisner, MD
Huntington, NY
Ideally, it is advisable to discontinue smoking at least two weeks prior to surgery. Smoking has deleterious effects on your lungs as well as your heart, and this could compromise your health during anesthesia. In addition, nicotine causes the small vessels in the skin to constrict and this could result in loss of skin or delayed healing. These problems might lead to the development of wide or raised scars. I would strongly advise you to quit smoking as long as possible before your mastopexy to help ensure the best possible result.
