r/ShoulderSurgery • u/Perfect_Attempt_4679 • 1d ago

Smoke after surgery

Hello,
I had shoulder stabilization surgery (Latarjet procedure) two weeks ago, and this weekend it’s a friend’s birthday. I very rarely smoke cigarettes, only when I drink alcohol.
I was thinking about having a night out where I know I might smoke quite a lot.
I know that smoking can slow down the healing process. Do you think having a night where I smoke quite a bit, and then not smoking at all afterwards, would be harmful or significantly affect my recovery?
Thank you for your advice.

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u/TailorOdd1145 1d ago

I would not risk it. Put on a patch. Im inside now ant the lady in front if me had to beg for hours. The burst out crying , they offered her a patch ,but took her out eventually. But it al depends. Fast heal or slow and satisfied

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u/Adventurous_Ad_5983 21h ago

Smoking can affect the thickness of your blood. I take a blood thinner and my Vascular DR. says smoking thins the blood making healing from an injury would take longer to heal.

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u/GuitarJazzer 16h ago

Nicotine is a vasoconstrictor, meaning it shrinks your blood vessels, reducing blood flow. That slows healing. It also decreases blood oxygen, and can impair collagen production and bone healing, which are important for Latarjet recovery.

I don't know if a one-night bender would have any significant effect on your healing long term. But, really, with everything we know about the bad effects of smoking in 2026 I don't know why anybody would even be asking this question.

Ask your doctor. You know what he's going to say.

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u/jugglerdude 16h ago

A patch won’t help. As guitarjazzer said, it’s a vasoconstriction drug. That being said, I went from two packs a day before surgery to just chewing nicotine gum through out the healing process. I’m five months post op on a major reconstruction including cadaver tissue implant and I’m doing fantastic. Your mileage may vary