When you quit smoking before surgery, you lower your risk of these things after surgery:
With every week or month that you've been smoke-free before surgery, you improve your chances of having a healthy recovery. It is best to be quit smoking at least a week before surgery so that your airways are clearer.
Quitting also improves your health. Your risk of things like heart attack and stroke start to go down as soon as you quit. And the longer you're smoke-free, the lower your risk of things like cancer and lung disease. When you're smoke-free, you get sick less often. You are less likely to get colds, flu, bronchitis, and pneumonia.
Your doctor will help you set up the plan that best meets your needs. There are medicines that may help. You may want to attend a smoking cessation program to help you quit smoking. When you choose a program, look for one that has proven success. Ask your doctor for ideas.
Ask your doctor if you can try medicine or nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). You will greatly increase your chances of success if you take medicine or nicotine replacement products along with getting counseling or joining a cessation program.
Here are some other things you can do:
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