Nicotine restrictions with cosmetic surgery
Tobacco, e-cigarettes, nicotine patches and gum can not only affect how well a patient heals post-surgery, but can also increase the risk of infection.
As nicotine causes blood vessels to constrict, blood flow is limited and can cut off circulation to tissue. Improper blood flow to the area undergoing surgery could lead to poor healing, and in extreme cases, tissue necrosis.
This is why MYA patients may be required to take a nicotine test on the day of surgery. If nicotine is detected, the operation will be cancelled, and need to be rescheduled for another date.
Delayed wound healing as a result of nicotine in the body can not only cause serious health problems but can also affect the overall cosmetic result, making scars appear more visible.
When to stop vaping before cosmetic surgery
Patients are advised to stop vaping at least 4 weeks prior to their surgery date to ensure all traces of nicotine are out of the body. The same applies for smokers, read our smoking guide for more information.
How to quit vaping before a cosmetic surgery procedure
We understand that nicotine is highly addictive, and if you’re a keen vaper, it’s hard to stop.
Here are a few tips on how to stop vaping:
Pick a stop date and stick to it
Having a clear start date is helpful. It not only helps you to track your progress but also gives you a structure to follow and stops you from saying, ‘I’ll start next week’.
Resist temptation
If you usually vape on nights out or with certain friends, try to avoid these situations in the run-up to your cosmetic surgery procedure to make sure you aren’t tempted.
Avoid shops that sell vapes
Vapes are available in most supermarkets now but are often hidden behind the smoking counter.
Avoiding these areas of a shop and walking quickly past vape shops also helps you to resist temptation.
Focus on the positive
Think about what the end goal is.
It’s likely you’ve thought about undergoing cosmetic surgery for a while, and you don’t want to do anything that will mess up the results.
By stopping vaping before cosmetic surgery, you can expect a healthy recovery and results to be proud of.
Vaping after cosmetic surgery
If a patient wants to continue vaping, smoking, or using nicotine products after their cosmetic surgery procedure, they must wait at least 2 weeks before resuming such habits.
However, we do advise all patients to stay nicotine-free for as long as possible to prevent disrupted healing and ensure the best result possible.
Learn more with MYA
If you’d like to know more about preparing for cosmetic surgery, get in touch with the experts at MYA today.
Check out our blog - Preparing for Cosmetic Surgery: A Comprehensive Checklist - for more information on the dos and don’ts of preparing for surgery.
If you’re interested in cosmetic surgery and want to speak to a member of our team, you can book a FREE eConsultation, where you can chat about the procedures in depth from the comfort of your own home.
*Refer to your T&C's in the patient portal for more information on MYA's vaping and smoking restrictions.
