free tram flap

[becca0350]

I am having a free tram flap done on 12/19.  I am 57 years old, smoker for many years but now down to 3 cigs per day for about 3 weeks now and doctor didn't seem to think this would cause a problem.  I had a lumpectomy in 2000 with radiation only on the right side and was diagnosed this year with multiple nodules on the left side which came back malignant.  I am having a bilateral mastectomy with the free tram flap.  I'm just looking for any input from someone maybe with the same scenerio as me.  I had tossed around the idea of not having reconstruction done at all, but just couldn't let cancer take one more thing away from me.  My best to all of you out there.

[sheep]

How are you doing?

[bfree2008]

I am shocked your doctor said it's ok to smoke, even 3 a day, and still do a free flap.  My doctor said even second-had smoke would constrict the blood vessels that need to be reconnected by microsurgery when they move the flap to the breast, and could lead to necrosis or flap failure.  Why risk it? Even stopping for a few days could help, so stop today.  I wish you all the best and success in your surgery.  

[Cleveland Clinic]

Dear becca0350:  Since you are looking from input from others, rather than a medical post, we will leave this up for others' comments.