💨 Here’s the truth: Nicotine — from cigarettes, vapes, or even nicotine gum — cuts off blood flow to your spine. Less oxygen. Fewer nutrients. Slower bone healing. 🦴 After a spinal fusion, your bone needs to grow solid. If nicotine is in your system, that healing can stop completely — we call it a nonunion. ⏱ How long should you stop? 👉 Ideally, 4–6 weeks before surgery 👉 And 3 months after while the bone is trying to fuse Even short-term quitting dramatically improves healing rates and redu