About 20% of adults in the United States report using nicotine. Of these, about half use cigarettes, 40% use vapes, and 10% use nicotine pouches. All in all, this means that about 60 million people in the U.S. use some form of nicotine on a regular basis.
Nicotine (not to be confused with nicotinic acid), is a stimulant that provides a rapid release of dopamine and other chemicals into the central nervous system. This chemical is highly addictive, and the tobacco/nicotine industry is valued at approximately $100 billion in the United States alone, and nearly $1 trillion globally!
Nicotine has other effects besides central nervous system stimulation. All forms may cause blood pressure and heart rate increases, may cause anxiety, headaches, and nausea. The biggest problem for surgery, though, is the effect on blood vessels.
Nicotine causes vasoconstriction, leading to decreased blood flow. The problem is that this blood flow is needed for wound healing and tissue viability. Depending on the area of surgery, this may mean major wound healing problems, death of the belly button or nipples, infection, and need for additional surgery.
At Gallatin Plastic Surgery, your safety and satisfaction is our highest priority. For some operations, stopping nicotine use is a good idea. For most surgeries, it is a necessity, for at least four weeks before and after surgery. This allows the body’s blood vessels to recover.
For any questions about nicotine or other parts of surgery, please call us or fill out a contact form. We look forward to taking care of you!