Affinity Health shares how smoking may affect your surgery
Non-smokers experience less pain and a higher degree of function after surgery than smokers.
Smokers have a higher chance of surgery-related complications like heart attack, stroke, shock, and death, said Affinity Health.
Affinity Health CEO Murray Hewlett said if there is one thing tobacco smokers hate, is being told to kick the smoking habit.
“It’s no secret that smoking causes serious health problems – including heart disease, asthma, and lung cancer – but smoking is also extremely dangerous if you are having surgery,” said Hewlett.
He said smoking decreases blood flow making surgical wounds less likely to close, less likely to heal well, and more likely to become infected.
“An upcoming surgery is a good reason to quit, even if just a day or two before the procedure,” said Hewlett.
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“Numerous studies have shown that patients who had stopped smoking for just one month before surgery had no more complications than patients who had never smoked. Just within a day or two after stopping, the body can bring more oxygen to cells and blood flow improves, making it easier for healing.
“Three to six weeks after stopping, the body’s defences against bacterial infection improve.”
Smokers are more likely than non-smokers to experience specific complications from all types of surgeries. For example:
• Poor wound healing
• Orthopaedic (bone or joint) surgery: bones can take longer to heal
• Plastic surgery: higher chance of scarring
• Breast reconstruction surgery: more likely to lose implants
• Spinal fusion surgery: a higher chance of infection and bone fracture
• Increased pain: Non-smokers experience less pain and a higher degree of function after surgery than smokers.
“Even second-hand smoke is a problem when it comes to surgery. Children have more complications after surgery if their parents smoke around them.
Still puffing away?
“Smoking can be hard to give up when you’ve been at it for years.”
Hewlett said patients who want to stop smoking can easily fall into the trap of thinking they can do it on their own.
“As with any addiction treatment, you have to want to stop but the whole process can be easier if you are supported by people who care for you.
“Aside from surrounding yourself with supportive people you can also start by changing your routine and habits. Pinpoint those times when you smoke and the habits that trigger it,” he said.
“Is it your first coffee of the day or maybe its specific situations that cause you anxiety? If those are your triggers, try swapping your coffee for tea and avoid the situations that cause you anxiety for the first month.
“Then start slowly to reintroduce these things back into your life without smoking.
“Quitting smoking isn’t easy, so you may consider getting some extra help. Speak to your doctor, surgeon or pharmacist who will be able to recommend a quit smoking programme that suits your lifestyle and dependence level, or options such as nicotine patches, gum, and lozenges,” said Hewlett.
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