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If you smoke or vape and are planning plastic surgery in Korea, discuss it with the hospital before choosing a surgery date. The important question is not simply how many days you can stop. Your surgeon needs to understand what you use, how often you use it and the procedure you are considering.
Why smoking matters for wound healing
Surgical wounds need a good blood supply and oxygen to heal. Smoking can interfere with that process, while nicotine narrows blood vessels. This is particularly relevant when an operation involves lifting or moving skin, as in a facelift. Your own risk also depends on your health and the extent of surgery.
Does vaping count?
Yes: tell the team about e-cigarettes, disposable vapes and heated tobacco, even if you no longer smoke cigarettes. Also disclose nicotine patches, gum or other products used to help you quit. Bring a photograph of the packaging if you are unsure what a product contains. A nicotine-free label does not remove the need to tell your doctor about vaping.
Evidence on vaping around surgery is less extensive than evidence on cigarette smoking. Switching to a vape should not be treated as medical clearance for an operation.
How far ahead should you plan?
WHO reports lower complication risk when people stop smoking around four weeks or more before surgery. The ASPS practice reference discusses a four-to-eight-week preoperative period, tailored to health and procedure.
These are planning references, not a personal clearance date. Ask your surgeon for written instructions before booking flights or paying a deposit. If your proposed operation is soon and you are still smoking, contact the hospital now rather than waiting until the day of surgery.
What about smoking after stitches come out?
Having stitches removed does not mean the deeper tissues have finished healing. Follow the hospital’s postoperative instructions; ASPS discusses continued avoidance for at least four weeks after surgery, with individual decisions made by the treating team.
If you use medication or nicotine replacement to quit, ask the clinician helping you quit and your surgeon to agree on a plan. Do not stop prescribed treatment or change the dose on your own.
Three things to prepare for your consultation
- What you use: the product, approximate frequency and how long you have used it.
- When you last used it: include any return to smoking during your preparation period.
- Your health history: medicines, ongoing conditions, previous slow wound healing and any current cough or breathing symptoms.
How Santongsuai can help
Our team can help relay your questions and the hospital’s instructions when coordinating a trip to Korea. Your surgeon and anaesthesia team decide whether it is appropriate to proceed, change the plan or postpone surgery. Honest information helps them make that decision.
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Sources and review date
Reviewed 22 October 2026. General preparation information; it does not replace assessment by your treating team.