Quitting Smoking Ahead Of Surgery

Quitting smoking before surgery is one of the best things you can do for a smoother recovery and better overall outcomes. Here’s why:

1. Faster Healing;

Smoking reduces oxygen levels in your blood, which slows down wound healing and increases the risk of infections. Quitting even a few weeks before surgery helps your body repair itself faster.

2. Lower Risk of Complication;

Smokers have a much higher risk of complications like blood clots, pneumonia, and poor circulation after surgery. Quitting helps keep your lungs clear and your blood flowing properly.

3. Better Anesthesia Tolerance;

Smoking affects how your body processes anesthesia, making it harder to keep you stable during surgery. When you quit, your lungs and heart work better, reducing anesthesia risks.

4. Less Pain, Fewer Medications;

Smokers tend to experience more pain after surgery and need higher doses of pain medication. Quitting can help you manage pain more effectively with fewer drugs.

5. Stronger Immune System;

Your immune system takes a hit from smoking, making it harder to fight off infections. A smoke-free body responds better to surgery and recovers more efficiently.

6. A Head Start on a Healthier Life;

Using surgery as a reason to quit could be the perfect motivation to stay quit for good. It’s a chance to improve your health beyond just the procedure itself.

It's tempting for smokers to shop around for a surgeon (or dentist) with relaxed requirements for quitting smoking ahead of surgery, but that's a big mistake and, IMO, should be a very red flag about your doctor/surgeons' motivations for ignoring the science and your best interest.