Is it safe to do mastopexy on a nicotine user?
No, unless she has stopped nicotine long enough to allow her system to become nicotine free. Usually that means two weeks from the most recent cigarette for example. If nicotine is present during or soon after the operation, the chance of complications increases dramatically. Because of that, just before operation for a nicotine user, her system is tested for the presence of nicotine, and if the level is that seen after recent use of a cigarette (second-hand smoke does not register) then the operation is cancelled, with financial implications for the patient.
