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How to Stop Smoking Before Surgery

Five Effective Ways to Stop Smoking Before Surgery

1. Psychological Treatment: Hypnosis, behavioral therapy, and psychotherapy are commonly used to help people quit smoking. Success varies from person to person, depending on individual commitment. See APS & Find a Psychologist. 

2. Hypnosis to Stop Smoking – Clinical Hypnotherapy Sydney 

3. Counseling and Self-Help Programs: These programs can help smokers explore lifestyle changes and better understand the negative effects of smoking.

4. Non-Nicotine Therapy: Medications that were initially developed as an antidepressant have shown promise in helping smokers quit. Consult your doctor for guidance.

5. Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT): NRT helps reduce withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, irritability, and restlessness. Various options include nicotine gum, nasal sprays, and patches. Always discuss the appropriate NRT options and dosages with your healthcare provider to find the best approach for you. You will still need to be free of nicotine prior to surgery.

For additional support contact the NSW Government’s QUITLINE

If you have questions about how smoking or vaping might impact your surgery, or if you need assistance with quitting, please feel free to reach out to Dr. Mark Kohout’s office. Your health and the success of your surgery are our top priorities.

How Smoking, Nicotine & Vaping Affects Surgery

Smokers are at a significantly higher risk of experiencing complications during and after surgery. In fact, most people are not considered suitable candidates for cosmetic surgery unless they have quit smoking for a substantial amount of time before and after the procedure.

Research has shown that smokers are far more likely to experience complications after surgery. For example, one study found that smokers were 12.5 times more likely to suffer from skin necrosis after a facelift compared to non-smokers (Rees et al., 1984).

Smoking during the post-operative period impairs wound healing by reducing oxygen supply to tissues. Additionally, disrupted collagen production can lead to wider, more prominent scars or even complete wound breakdown.

Some of the other potential side effects of smoking during the surgical process include:

  • Increased risk of infections
  • Fat cell necrosis (death of tissues)
  • Loss of skin, nipple, or abdominal tissue after procedures like breast lifts, facelifts, breast reductions, or abdominoplasty/tummy tucks
  • Life-threatening complications such as thrombosis or pulmonary embolism
  • Increased post-surgical pain
  • Implant rejection that may require additional surgery

Why You Should Stop Smoking & Vaping Nicotine

1. Smoking Affects Healing and Recovery

The negative effects of smoking on wound healing are well-documented. Numerous studies confirm that smokers face impaired wound healing, which is particularly concerning for patients undergoing cosmetic surgery.

 

2. Smoking Affects Your Scars

Smoking can deplete your body’s Vitamin C levels, which is essential for collagen synthesis. Without enough Vitamin C, you may experience poor collagen production, resulting in more noticeable and disfiguring scars after surgery.

 

3. Harmful Effects of Smoke and Smoking

Tobacco smoke contains harmful chemicals such as nicotine, hydrogen cyanide, lead, and arsenic, which can cause life-threatening complications and have a wide range of negative effects on the human body.

Benefits of Stopping Smoking when having Surgery

A joint study conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Newcastle University concluded that quitting smoking at least 4 weeks before surgery significantly reduces the risk of complications (WHO, 2020).

 

Preoperative smoking cessation can significantly reduce surgical complications:

  • 4-8 weeks of preoperative abstinence reduced surgical site infections by 57%
  • Each week of cessation increased the magnitude of positive effects by 19%
  • Cessation of at least 4 weeks showed larger benefits compared to shorter periods

FAQs about Surgery & Smoking

Why should I quit smoking before I have surgery?

By quitting smoking, you will not only reduce the likelihood of experiencing surgery-related complications, but also increase your overall health and even add years to your life. The potential benefits of quitting smoking include:

  • Adding six to eight years to your life.
  • Reducing your risk of lung cancer and heart disease.
  • Saving a lot of money each year.
  • Reducing your loved ones’ exposure to second-hand smoke.
 

What risks will I face during surgery if I do not quit smoking?

Smoking increases both anesthetic risks, as well as risks of complications during surgery and recovery.

Anaesthetic risks:

  • More coughing
  • Developing lung collapse
  • Developing pneumonia
  • More risk of post-operative and long term pain

Surgical and Recovery Risks

  • Increased infection
  • Increased risk of bleeding
  • Poor healing
  • Wound splitting apart
  • Poor scars
 

Why is it important to the anaesthetist that I quit smoking before surgery?

Anaesthetists are the heart and lung specialists in the operating room, and they are responsible for the total-body health of patients. Therefore, they directly witness the immense toll smoking takes on a person’s body and must manage smoking-related complications.

Anaesthetists also witness the tremendous benefits patients experience as a result of not smoking before surgery, and are committed to helping all patients realise these advantages. It is important that your anaesthetist knows about your smoking so he or she can take precautions to reduce your risk of having problems.

 

How long before my surgery should I quit smoking?

The earlier you quit, the greater your chances of avoiding surgery-related complications. It is especially important not to smoke on the day of your surgery. Fortunately, the body begins to heal within hours of quitting. Twelve hours after a person quits, the heart and lung function increases as nicotine and carbon monoxide levels drop. It takes less than a day for blood flow to increase, which reduces the likelihood of post-operative complications. We recommend patients abstain from smoking at least 4 weeks before and after surgery, but even quitting for a brief period is still beneficial.

 

Is it worth quitting if I decide to do so right before surgery, such as the day before the procedure?

Quitting right before your operation may make you cough more, potentially increasing your risk of post-operative bleeding. Therefore, you are best quitting well before your surgery. If you decide to quit smoking the morning of surgery, it can still reduce the rate of some other surgical complications such as infection and poor wound healing.

 

If my surgery is not a major surgery, do I still need to quit smoking?

Smoking will impact your body before and after surgery regardless of the type of procedure you have. We recommend that all surgical patients abstain from smoking for as long as possible before and after surgery.

 

Before surgery, should I also quit smoking additional substances such as marijuana?

It is critical that patients quit smoking all substances before surgery, including marijuana. They can have the same detrimental effects on surgery as nicotine. For example, they can make patients more or less susceptible to anaesthetic. The carbon monoxide found in any kind of smoke affects blood pressure, making it more difficult for the blood to carry oxygen.

Please tell your anaesthetist or your surgeon if you have been smoking or using other substances before surgery. This information will remain confidential and is important to your care.

 

How long should I wait after surgery before smoking again?

Continuing to smoke after surgery greatly heightens a person’s risks of complications, such as infections in the surgical incision. In one study, more than half of patients who continued smoking after surgery developed complications, compared with less than 20 percent of those who quit. Fewer complications means less time in the hospital and more optimal recovery.

We recommend you do not smoke at all during the first 4 to 6 weeks after your procedure.

 

Should I take this opportunity to quit smoking altogether?

When confronted with surgery, many patients decide to change their behaviour for good. This defining moment is a great opportunity to commit to quitting, as it will have a significant impact on your life for years to come.

Dr. Mark Kohout is a dedicated qualified plastic surgeon based in central Sydney with over 25 years of experience in the cosmetic field. With his extensive training and experience, patients can be assured they are in the hands of a highly accomplished surgeon.  Dr. Kohout is a fully committed, friendly professional who is devoted in providing the optimal care, support and results, alongside his compassionate team.

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DISCLAIMER: The outcomes shown are only relevant for these patients and do not necessarily reflect the results other patients may experience, as results may vary due to many factors including the individual’s genetics, diet and exercise. All photographs have been used with the patient’s express written permission. The information on this site is not intended to replace medical advice, you may wish to get more than one opinion from a licensed health professional before continuing. There are risks associated with any surgical or invasive operation.

This website contains imagery which is only suitable for audiences 18+. All surgery contains risks, read more here.

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