Smokers and Surgeries: Why Patients Should Avoid Smoking

There are several reasons as to why patients should avoid smoking before surgical procedures. Not only does it immediately improve the health of those who quit; it reduces the risk of surgical complications and also provides long term affects that will benefit patients later in life.

Health Effects of Smoking

Some of the health effects of smoking include: 

• General health problems: Smoking before surgeries can increase risk of complications. According to general surgeon Kevin El-Hayek, MD “Smoking before surgery puts you at a higher risk for postoperative heart attacks, blood clots, pneumonia, and even death”.
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• Delayed wound closure: Smoking cigarettes affects the body’s ability to heal, specifically in terms of wound closure. This is caused by narrower blood vessels and exposure to less oxygen in smokers as compared to non-smokers.
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• Infection: The delay in healing also increases the patient’s risk of experiencing a wound infection.
• Anesthesia risks: Smokers require special procedures and added consideration to provide a safe surgery. Even the use of an anesthetic is safer and much easier to predict in those who don’t smoke. This is because their blood vessels, lungs, the heart and the nervous system function better than smokers. Anesthesiologists can tell immediately if their patient is a smoker. They have to use more caution when administering anesthesia. Patients also have more difficulty maintaining steady breathing; this is because their lungs are already working so hard to fight the effects of cigarettes.
• Heart problems: Smoking also puts the heart in danger and can cause problems during the procedure as well.
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• Life expectancy: Smoking can increase life expectancy by six to eight years, compared to those who do not quit. It decreases the chance of a person getting lung cancer or having increased heart problems.

Communication between the doctor and the patient is essential for the best results. It is important for a patient to tell the doctor that they are smoking so that the surgeon can take every precaution to make sure the surgery goes smoothly.

When Is the Best Time to Stop Smoking?

Patients should quit smoking a minimum of two weeks before surgery. It is critical that patients quit all forms of smoking, including marijuana and other addictive substances. The chemicals are similar to that of nicotine. Quitting smoking is essential to safe and effective surgery.

When Can a Patient Resume Smoking?

Patients are advised not to begin smoking again for at least four weeks in order to increase chances of a speedy recovery and reduce the risk of complications. Of course, the most ideal outcome would be for patients to quit smoking permanently. On a positive note, the idea of quitting for an upcoming surgery can be a great motivator for those who are addicted. 

Patients can seek advice on quitting smoking from their surgeon and other health practitioners. They offer a personalized services as well as support for patients who wish to quit smoking. They can also educate them about the many dangers of smoking.

For more information, feel free to contact Jefferson Plastic Surgery.