Quitting before surgery
If you’re going to have surgery, the weeks leading up to your procedure are a good time to try to quit smoking.
Smoking causes a much higher risk of developing serious complications during and after surgery. By quitting, you’ll be more likely to have:
- A faster recovery
- Improved wound healing
- A shorter stay in hospital
- Reduced chance of needing intensive care or further surgery
Cutting down a few weeks before surgery, rather than quitting, won’t reduce the risks.
To lower your risk of complications, it’s a good idea to try to quit as early as possible before your procedure.
Smoking after surgery
Smoking after your surgery can make recovery more difficult. It can:
- Place stress on the heart
- Affect your blood pressure
- Reduce oxygen in your blood and body tissues
- Damage your lungs
- Passive smoking and surgery
People who have been exposed to passive smoking can experience breathing difficulties after having a general anaesthetic. Children affected by tobacco smoke have lower levels of oxygen in their blood after surgery. If you’re about to have surgery, and you don’t smoke, it’s important to avoid inhaling other people’s tobacco smoke before your procedure.
Create a personalised Quit plan that will support you while you quit.