Doctor warns smoking could cause nipples to fall off

A US surgeon has issued a warning to smokers: smoke before or after a breast lift and your nipple could fall off. Dr Anthony Youn, a plastic surgeon in Detroit, said nicotine and the carbon monoxide contained in cigarette smoke can diminish blood flow to various parts of the body.

“The toxins act as a virtual tourniquet. If the blood flow to a particular body part becomes greatly reduced or halted, that body part dies,” Dr Youn said. “I cringe every time I see a patient for a breast lift who is a smoker. I’m deathly afraid that despite my warnings, she will smoke before or after surgery and cause her nipples to turn black and fall off.”



The acclaimed surgeon also revealed he has been forced to use leeches on patient’s nipples to increase blood flow. The doctor said the leech drains the old blood, causing it to turn from unhealthy purple back to healthy pink.

Smokers have also been warned that lighting up close to surgery can also leave you disfigured. “If you are having a facelift and you smoke, the skin of your cheek could turn black and slough off, leaving exposed fat,” Dr Youn said. Smoking while having a tummy tuck could cause infection, resulting in an open wound that will take months to heal, Dr Youn said.