Stopping smoking before surgery helps reduce complications and makes surgery safer.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n The World Health Organization showed that stopping smoking reduces the risk of complications following surgery by 50%. Smokers are 38% more likely to die after surgery than non-smokers.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n You will achieve the most benefit if you can stop 4-6 weeks or more before surgery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, if your surgery is sooner, stopping any time before surgery is beneficial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some of the positive effects start almost immediately (such as improved breathing, reduced stress and anxiety, sense of taste and smell returning).<\/p>\n\n\n\n By stopping smoking you can reduce the risk of any postoperative complications by 50% and wound problems by 70%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Risks of smoking in the perioperative period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 38% increased risk of death after surgery. All of these risks mean that your chances of having to be admitted to the intensive care unit increase or at the very least, your stay in hospital will be longer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Smoking can reduce the flow of blood around your body:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Smoking damages your lungs, increases mucous production and makes your lungs more irritable:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Smoking makes your blood thicker and more likely to clot:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Smoking can slow down wound healing increasing the chance of scaring and infection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Smoking can affect your immune system, increasing the risk of infection, including chest infection, wound infection and sepsis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stopping smoking is important for improving your condition after surgery and your overall long-term health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The best way to stop is by using a mixture of support from professionals, stop-smoking medications and friends and family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Each craving only lasts 90 seconds. The main withdrawal symptoms, such as irritability, are reducing by two weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are many options for help, with psychological support, apps, alternative activities, exercise, nicotine replacement options and websites with personalised coaching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After stopping smoking, the body’s ability to cope with surgery quickly improves<\/p>\n\n\n\n After stopping for:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 to 2 hours 1 to 2 days 2 to 4 days 6 to 8 weeks 2 to 6 months Reference Centre for Perioperative Care Smoking cessation | Centre for Perioperative Care<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Below are some common methods for stopping: –<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Stopping smoking before surgery helps reduce the risk of complications. Stopping at least 4-6 weeks before surgery is ideal, but stopping any time before can help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can get help with quitting smoking from:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Quit Your Way Scotland (https:\/\/www.nhsinform.scot\/care-support-and-rights\/nhs-services\/helplines\/quit-your-way-scotland<\/a>) has lots of information about stopping smoking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your local NHS Lothian Quit Your Way Service can give you advice and support to stop smoking. You can find information on local services on here: https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/quit-your-way\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Edinburgh Service: 0131 286 5113<\/p>\n\n\n\n Midlothian and East Lothian Service: 0131 537 9914<\/p>\n\n\n\n West Lothian Service: 01506 651 829<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hospital Service. Help for patients admitted to hospital and NHS staff. Medical staff can refer you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"Risks](\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/preparingforsurgery\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2024\/11\/image-2.png\")
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Twice as likely to develop a wound infection.
Increased risk of heart or lung complications.
Longer average hospital stay.
More likely to need admission to intensive care.
Increased doses of anaesthetic drugs required.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nHow Smoking Affects Your Body<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Heart<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Lungs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Blood clots<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Bones, skin and wounds<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Immune system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How do I Stop Smoking?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"After](\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/preparingforsurgery\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2024\/12\/StoppingSmoking.jpg\")
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<\/strong>Nicotine levels fall, heart rate and blood pressure fall, reducing stress on the heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Blood carbon monoxide levels fall, improving oxygen delivery to the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>The body’s ability to heal wounds improves. The risk of wound infection falls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Lung function improves and mucus production reaches levels similar to non-smokers. The risk of complications like chest infections falls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>The immune system recovers.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n
Top Tips<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Benefits of Stopping<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Where to get help<\/h2>\n\n\n\n