Smoking and Surgery Dont Mix, How to Quit for your Health
Are you a smoker who is scheduled to have surgery? No matter what kind of surgery you are having, your health will suffer if you decide to smoke for several weeks before and after your surgery. As difficult as it is, if you are going to have surgery, you should seriously consider quitting for your health.
Smoking and Surgery: What Can Go Wrong
There are a number of complications, risks, and potential infections that can develop as a result of smoking pre- or post-surgery. What exactly can go wrong? Here’s a run-down on the most common and serious complications that can arise as a result of smoking pre- or post-surgery:
Wound Infection. One of the most common complications that can occur if you smoke is wound infection. Smoking, in effect, steals oxygen from cells that are in the process of healing. Smoking is a risk factor for wound infection in almost any kind of surgery. Researchers have found that smokers continue smoking before surgery are at a much higher risk of developing wounds that do not heal properly.
Cardiopulmonary complications. Tobacco smoke is very hard...