Do I have to quit smoking before having an Abdominoplasty?
Absolutely. Nicotine causes constriction of blood vessels which can result in skin slough due to loss of blood supply when combined with a tummy tuck. Any procedure where the skin is undermined and pulled tight, such as a facelift, breast reduction, breast lift or tummy tuck, can result is skin loss if smokers don’t quit prior to surgery. Even secondary smoke can be a problem. Smoking must be stopped for at least two weeks prior to surgery and at least one month after surgery.
