SMOKING

There's no way around it. Smoking is bad for you and your health. Cigarette smoking harms nearly every organ of the body, causes many diseases, and harms the overall health of people who smoke. Quitting is the best thing you can do for your general health, for the best healing from injuries, and for a successful surgery.

Quitting smoking will help you heal faster and will make surgery risks smaller.

People who use tobacco are more likely to:

  • have breathing problems after surgery (such as pneumonia),

  • have a stroke or heart attack after surgery, and

  • get an infection after surgery.

Smoking limits blood flow and slows healing. People who smoke take more time to heal broken bones, ligaments and tendons, which means they need more time in hospital, may have more pain, and take more time to return to activities they love.

You may be told not to have surgery until you have quit smoking. This is because of the high risk of complications and poor outcome. The good news is that quitting smoking before surgery can make those risks smaller, help you heal faster and make it more likely that surgery will be successful.

Quitting tobacco is one of the best things you can do to for your health, but you don't have to quit alone. Even getting a little help or advice can improve your chances of successfully quitting. Smoking is a hard habit to break because tobacco contains nicotine, which is highly addictive. To quit smoking, you need a plan, motivation, and help. Our office is happy to help and support you, and you may also want to talk with your family doctor or pharmacist.

 

HELP QUITTING

(Our office would be happy to fax this for you)