Why Quit Smoking Before Surgery?

Many people understand the dangers smoking has on a person's overall health, increasing his risk for heart and lung disease and early death. Smoking also affects a person's surgical results. Therefore, there are various reasons to quit smoking before surgery. An article published by the Eisenhower Medical Center states that, to achieve maximum benefits, people should quit several weeks before their surgical procedure.

Lung Complications

• People who quit smoking before surgery experience fewer lung complications when undergoing anesthesia, according to the Eisenhower Medical Center. Patients are able to effectively clear their lungs after surgical procedures.

Heart Complications

• The International Anesthesia Research Society cites research that says people who quit smoking before surgery decrease their risk of experiencing heart complications before or during surgery.

Healing Process

• The American Society of Anesthesiologists says that people who quit smoking before surgery have easier recovery periods, and quitting decreases the chances of wound infections.

Red Blood Cells

• The Anemia Institute for Research & Education says that smoking reduces the number of red blood cells, so smoking cessation before surgery helps increase red blood cell count.

Cigarette Withdrawal

• The American Society of Anesthesiologists states people who quit smoking before surgery experience less nicotine withdrawal symptoms after undergoing their procedure. This occurs because many of the drugs and therapies used during and after surgery suppress the desire for nicotine.