Stopping Weed Before and After Surgery

[HappyMan2021]

I vape weed more or less every day, but have no issues stopping when necessary. My HT is in early June. 

I'm wondering how soon before surgery I should cease weed, and how long post surgery I should wait before I can resume vaping again?

[gillenator]

How in the world do you vape "weed"?...never heard of that before.

[BaldDude]

22 minutes ago, gillenator said:

How in the world do you vape "weed"?...never heard of that before.

Lots of vape cartridges available where it’s legal. Some can be quite potent too 😁

[general-etwan]

45 minutes ago, gillenator said:

How in the world do you vape "weed"?...never heard of that before.

Device heats it to certain temperatures so that no burning or smoke occurs as with traditional smoking; THC is directly utilized by the body and it's therefore a more efficient and less damaging method of using the substance.

OP, there's no reason to worry about anything. Just don't do it for a few weeks around the procedure if you want to be ultra conservative.

[ciaus]

If you use the forum search in the top right using keywords like marijuana, cannibas, pot, etc you'll get varying answers ranging from days to months, doctor recommendations, personal anecdotes. Here's a link to one of the longer threads

 

 

 

 

[HappyMan2021]

1 hour ago, gillenator said:

How in the world do you vape "weed"?...never heard of that before.

just google it lol. It's actually healthier than smoking it. 

[pkipling]

As Ciaus mentioned, the answers to this question are going to range from "don't worry about it at all" to "don't smoke anything for 6 months." - which I understand can be frustrating.  

The easiest thing to to do is to follow your doctor's guidance, but it's not always that simple. In cases like these with no clear cut answers, I think it's best to use a combination of your specific doctor's input, as well as looking at which answers seem to "make sense" to you from a logical perspective - as vague as that may sound.

Personally, if someone is going to make a claim of "no marijuana for 3 months before and 6 months after surgery" (as in the thread linked above), I'm going to want to know what scientific evidence they're basing that on and what factors lead them to making such an extreme guideline that is so outside the realm of what most surgeons would recommend. Not to mention, it can't be denied that when it comes to marijuana, there is still a stigma around it and lots of fear - especially in the traditional medical field. 

All of that to say, I'm by no means a doctor so take that with a grain of salt - but the best any of us can do in instances like this when there's so much discrepancy about "what is and isn't okay" is to take the information provided and then make the decision that we feel is best for us. For me, I find the 9 month window incredibly extreme and wouldn't consider it for a second... Unless someone were to give me the actual evidence that they're basing those claims on.  

[HappyMan2021]

3 hours ago, pkipling said:

For me, I find the 9 month window incredibly extreme and wouldn't consider it for a second... Unless someone were to give me the actual evidence that they're basing those claims on.

yea definitely. Also, anyone who says "You must stop smoking weed X # of months/weeks 🤢, but alcohol is totally fine 👍" really sets off my BS alarms. 

If a doctor gives a range alcohol can be consumed, I can't see any situation where weed wouldn't also be ok. Alcohol is way worse than weed. 

Edited May 15, 2022 by HappyMan2021

[ciaus]

15 hours ago, HappyMan2021 said:

Alcohol is way worse than weed. 

 

Alcohol has less of a time window to do its damage when it comes to hair transplants. It relaxes and expands your blood vessels and reduces your blood clotting capacity, not good when the doctor is cutting into your head or when your body's repair processes are underway in the immediate days post surgery. Smoking has the opposite effect, it constricts the blood vessels. Which reduces the oxygen carrying capacity and nutrients that can be delivered, which is of course important for your transplanted hairs to successfully root into their new blood supplies and thrive. But who knows if that reduced capacity is enough to make a difference, some guys report never stopped smoking and still get great results. But if you happen to be the worrying or obsessive type, and this is your first rodeo, it may end up being alot less of a mental hassle to just abstain.   

Edited May 15, 2022 by ciaus

[gillenator]

On 5/15/2022 at 9:16 AM, ciaus said:

 

Alcohol has less of a time window to do its damage when it comes to hair transplants. It relaxes and expands your blood vessels and reduces your blood clotting capacity, not good when the doctor is cutting into your head or when your body's repair processes are underway in the immediate days post surgery. Smoking has the opposite effect, it constricts the blood vessels. Which reduces the oxygen carrying capacity and nutrients that can be delivered, which is of course important for your transplanted hairs to successfully root into their new blood supplies and thrive. But who knows if that reduced capacity is enough to make a difference, some guys report never stopped smoking and still get great results. But if you happen to be the worrying or obsessive type, and this is your first rodeo, it may end up being alot less of a mental hassle to just abstain.   

Totally agree!

[HappyMan2021]

2 hours ago, Verolomno said:

I smoked pot even after the surgery. No problems at all.

how soon after surgery did you start smoking again?

after my previous HT's I think I resumed around Day 7-10. 

It was kind of a weird feeling because I could really "feel" all the grafts and all the surgical work, etc. 

But yea in terms of impacting HT results I didn't notice any ill effect. 

Edited May 30, 2022 by HappyMan2021

[NARMAK]

Personally i like to smoke shisha/water pipes but i was told that smoking basically constricts the blood vessels and that's why usually they say to stop in order to allow your hair follicles the maximum oxygen possible. 

Personally i correlate survival rates and good growth with making the best possible conditions and that's why i've chosen to try and not smoke for as long as possible. Particularly during the first 6 months where it can be helped but its hard imo. I usually go out to socialise and smoke at the same time or watch sporting events when i do too. 

[ciaus]

On 5/30/2022 at 12:55 PM, Verolomno said:

I smoked pot even after the surgery. No problems at all.

We're still awaiting outcome reports of smoking DURING the procedure before we can finally put this topic to rest..
 

[Vann]

Take it this way. Smoking causes your lungs to absorb less oxygen than it dispenses carbon dioxide. Less oxygen from smoke (of any kind) will temporarily cause less blood supply, oxygen, and nutrients from being pumped from the heart.

Your lungs are not the only affected organ that is affected by inhaling smoke. However, there are some cases of course when you walk normally and inhale smoke just from air pollution... which is hard to avoid unless you live in a bubble. If you live in an area of depleted oxygen (high pressure in O2) youll probably have no issues since your environment helps tremendously.

But, most of us dont live in a high mountain range for x+ years... I would say the more you smoke the more harm you cause to your grafts that were traumatically placed into your scalp. (which some of the drugs they inject cause trauma itself and is a cause of shock loss) So take smoking as an added con to your growth.

Things that cannabis does respiratory wise (chemically)

- hydrogen cyanide and phenomena (which is just harmful to lungs and without oxygen your body is starved)

- carcinogens (that have not been linked as of yet)

- increased heart rate (stresses your heart, which your heart will need more oxygen)

- expanded blood vessels

Now, it does help with pain through your central nervous system which releases dopamine

Also, cannabis has been found to suppress your immune system which you may want to avoid in risk of infection of any sort... granted you may take antibiotics if you get an infection.

 

Basically, the short version (my 2 cents) is... the more you smoke the less of a chance you will have a greater yield for graft survival; due to the added trauma your grafts will be presented with in addition, to more toxins your body is presented with that compete with O2 supply. Theres a reason you shouldnt take anti-inflammatory medications before surgery... until a certain time frame. Think of smoking in the same regard. The more you supply your body with something you should avoid the greater risk you present yourself with. 

Edited June 1, 2022 by Vann

[Rahal Hair Transplant]

HappyMan,

when it comes to smoking marijuana, I’d consider that essentially the same as smoking cigarettes. I don’t mean the effects on the body and how it feels is the same, I just mean that when it comes to when to stop and restart smoking marijuana after hair transplant surgery, I consider it essentially the same as when to stop and restart smoking cigarettes.

Keep in mind that every surgeon has their own set of postoperative and preoperative instructions but in my opinion, stop smoking a couple weeks prior to surgery and you can restart 2 to 4 weeks after your procedure.  

Best wishes,

Rahal Hair Transplant 

Edited June 2, 2022 by Rahal Hair Transplant

[gillenator]

That's good advice, yet if you are able to quit for 2 weeks, stop it for good! 

[Gatsby]

All of the above answers are equally valid. My take in this is that I would want to give my hair the optimum possibility for maximum results. That’s where the real answer lies. All the best! 

[ciaus]

6 hours ago, Gatsby said:

All of the above answers are equally valid. My take in this is that I would want to give my hair the optimum possibility for maximum results. That’s where the real answer lies. All the best! 

 

All except my second reply about how we're waiting for reports back on guys smoking DURING the procedure. Just to be clear I meant that as a JOKE, should have added an emoji. I got a thank-you on that one, hopefully also meant as a joke.

If any doctor will allow you to toke up during the procedure, run as fast as you can without falling! Or at least use a fan to blow your smoke away from the doctor so he doesn't get a contact high. 

[GoliGoliGoli]

A lot of people are saying smoking weed is a vasoconstrictor but that isn't true. Weed is a vasodilator and opens up your blood vessels.

These things are complicated and it may work differently on different parts of the body, but just because nicotine is a vasocosntricro doesn't mean weed is. 

[HappyMan2021]

Update: the day after surgery I went back to the clinic for a wash and post op review. I asked my doctor in person face to face when I can resume smoking weed, he said "anytime". 

I was really surprised by this answer actually, even though its what I wanted to hear. 🤣.

For my own peace of mind I still ended up waiting 11 days before smoking again. 

I also delayed smoking until my donor area itchiness all went away. I think it would be very miserable being high and having to deal with itchiness. Not to mention weed would just magnify the itchy sensation and make it 10x worse. 

To my fellow tokers out there, I recommend delaying smoking until 

1) you personally feel comfortable doing so again

2) the grafts are secure and your clinic has instructed you can sleep normally again

3) you do not have ANY donor itchiness

4) all your scabs are off and you no longer "feel" any of the scalp pressure or any sensation of the surgical work (just like with the itchiness, being high can enhance feeling the scalp pressure and other surgical work, if the wounds are still fresh)

I do not drink alcohol so didn't bother asking when alcohol could be consumed again. But the same day I asked about weed, the assistant doc told me "don't celebrate with any champagne tonight"

So boom. There you have it folks. Confirmed by my clinic that weed can be consumed "anytime" after surgery, and if anything, alcohol needs to be delayed longer than weed. 

[gillenator]

On 6/20/2022 at 4:01 PM, Verolomno said:

Many addicted people deny their addiction to narcotic drugs. An even bigger myth is that you can easily give up using psychoactive substances. However, I am a supporter of the legalization of marijuana. However, it is strictly prohibited in my country, so I use wildorchardhemp.com. Btw, I think you should stop using it for the duration of the operation. This way, you will also be able to understand whether you have a physical or psychological addiction to this substance. I hope you will be able to find a way out.

I am a little confused…it appears that there are potent THC additives contained in their products so doesn’t that still make it illegal?…or is it because their products are not classified as “marijuana” that bypass the law in many jurisdictions?

Do you find that these products (vape) are superior (potency) to smoking pot?…there could also be a potential benefit to individuals who suffer from chronic pain and want to stop taking opiate based narcotics.

[JamesSoda]

Marijuana can have a vasodilating property, which can cause you to have post-operative bleeding. However, you should still check with your surgeon or attending physician.

[JerryFallen]

On 9/19/2022 at 7:11 AM, JamesSoda said:

Marijuana can have a vasodilating property, which can cause you to have post-operative bleeding. However, you should still check with your surgeon or attending physician.

Yes, absolutely true, but if you want to use a supplement to lower your pain threshold, you may want to consider the best delta 8 carts. For those who don't know, there are three types of weed. Synthetic, which has the strongest detrimental effect, is natural - harmless but mildly addictive, and analogues that contain cannabinoids but are harmless.

[LookMaxx]

I know smoking seriously hinders healing and bone doctors ( orthopaedics) don’t even perform surgery on patients because their bone won’t heal making the surgery pointless. 

As for vaping, I don’t know if this applies as well. But vapes also has pretty nasty chemicals.

 

[GoliGoliGoli]

34 minutes ago, LookMaxx said:

I know smoking seriously hinders healing and bone doctors ( orthopaedics) don’t even perform surgery on patients because their bone won’t heal making the surgery pointless. 

 

Weed? I've never heard of this whatsoever. I do think weed has a lot of side effects that people don't talk about but I've never once heard of bone health being one of them