Smoking is a major risk factor for complications after vaginoplasty. Smoking can increase your risk of bleeding, infection, and wound healing problems. It can also increase your risk of developing blood clots.

For this reason, most surgeons will require you to quit smoking for at least 3 months before vaginoplasty. This will help to reduce your risk of complications and improve your chances of a successful outcome.

If you are unable to quit smoking, your surgeon may still be able to perform vaginoplasty, but they will likely require you to sign a waiver acknowledging the increased risks.

If you are considering vaginoplasty, it is important to talk to your surgeon about your smoking history. They will be able to discuss the risks and benefits of surgery with you and help you make the best decision for your health.

Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful:

  • The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) Standards of Care: https://www.wpath.org/publications/soc
  • The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) website: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/
  • The Trevor Project: https://www.trevorproject.org/

The decision to undergo vaginoplasty with a history of smoking will depend on several factors, including your overall health, the extent of your smoking history, and the surgical team’s evaluation. Smoking can have significant effects on surgical outcomes and healing, so it’s essential to have open and honest discussions with your healthcare provider and surgical team about your smoking history and its potential impact on the surgery.

Smoking can increase the risk of various surgical complications, such as:

  1. Impaired Healing: Smoking can interfere with the body’s ability to heal wounds, increasing the risk of delayed wound healing, wound infections, and wound breakdown.
  2. Blood Clotting: Smoking can affect blood circulation and increase the risk of blood clot formation, which may lead to deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE).
  3. Anesthesia-related Risks: Smoking can affect lung function and increase the risk of respiratory complications related to anesthesia.
  4. Infection Risk: Smoking weakens the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to infections.

Your surgical team will likely assess your overall health status, including the impact of smoking on your body, to determine if you are a suitable candidate for vaginoplasty. In some cases, surgeons may advise individuals to quit smoking for a period before the surgery to reduce the associated risks.

Quitting smoking before surgery can lead to significant health benefits, including improved surgical outcomes and reduced complications. If you are a smoker, your surgical team may recommend a smoking cessation program or work with you to develop a plan to quit smoking before the surgery.

Ultimately, the goal is to prioritize your safety and well-being during the surgical process. Having a comprehensive evaluation and following the recommendations of your healthcare providers will contribute to achieving the best possible surgical outcomes.