Quitting Smoking
We’re all aware of the harmful effects of smoking. Most – if not all - smokers are aware of those side-effects.
So, in this piece it’s not our intention to repeat a familiar message, but instead to tell you something you probably don’t know. Which is that smoking can also harm your recovery from surgery, and that if you want to give yourself the best possible outcome - and the fastest and most effective recovery- from your surgery, you should consider giving up smoking before your surgery.
Here’s why:
Smoking slows healing and increases the risk of infection
Smoking affects the ability of the body to deliver essential nutrients into the bloodstream and also reduces the oxygen supply to the tissues and bones. As a result, this slows wound and bone healing, reduces the body’s ability to build healthy new tissue and increases the risks of post surgical infection. Smokers are also much more likely to develop chest infections, particularly after a general anaesthetic.
Smoking increases the risk of blood clots
Nicotine, one of the products found in cigarettes, reduces blood flow in tissues, keeping the blood in the vessels longer which can lead to blood clots in the legs or lungs.
Smoking increases inflammation and sometimes pain
The chemicals found in cigarettes can increase the amount of inflammation (or swelling) after surgery, This can cause smokers to experience more pain than non-smokers. Evidence also suggests that smoking reduces pain control, meaning that smokers have a greater need for stronger painkillers like opioids.
Making the Decision to Quit
Ideally stopping smoking should be a lifestyle choice. But it should definitely be a pre-surgical choice.
To maximise the benefits of stopping smoking, most doctors will advise you to stop using cigarettes and tobacco as soon as you are recommended to have surgery.
Increasing the time between quitting smoking and your surgery to at least 10 weeks can significantly improve lung function.
Stopping between 3 – 6 weeks beforehand can increase the body’s defences against infection by 50%.
However, even stopping a day or two before will increase the oxygen supply into the body.
However, like any addiction, quitting tobacco is difficult. Luckily there are many ways to quit smoking and many resources to help you, such as:
Family members, friends, and co-workers may be supportive or encouraging.
Talk to your doctor about medicines, such as nicotine replacement and prescription medicines.
If you join a smoking cessation programme, you have a much better chance of success. Such programmes are offered by hospitals, health departments, community centres and work sites.
Please note: Using nicotine gum around the time of surgery is not encouraged. The nicotine will still interfere with the healing of your surgical wound and have the same effect on your general health as using cigarettes and tobacco.
References:
“Stop Smoking – Live Well.” NHS Choices, NHS, - https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/quit-smoking/10-self-help-tips-to-stop-smoking/
“Smoking greatly increases risk of complications after surgery”; (link) https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/20-01-2020-smoking-greatly-increases-risk-of-complications-after-surgery Accessed 22 May 2020
Informed Health. Org (2018) Can quitting smoking before surgery prevent complications? (link) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279556/ Accessed 22 May 2020
NICE (2018) Stop smoking interventions and services. Guideline NG92 (link) https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng92/chapter/Recommendations#if-a-person-who-smokes-wants-to-quit Accessed 22 May 2020