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Smoking and Surgery Don't Mix- Quit For The Sake Of Your Health |
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A) 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:
1. 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.
2.
Cardiopulmonary complications-
Tobacco smoke is very hard on the
heart, lungs, and the entire immune system. If you are scheduled for any
type of heart surgery, it is imperative that you quit smoking for at
least six weeks before your surgery.
3. Vasoconstriction-
Vasoconstriction
refers to the shrinking of the small blood vessels. Many heavy smokers
are apt to experience vasoconstriction because smoking steals available
oxygen from cells. When this happens, the small blood vessels shrink and
the amount of hemoglobin that is needed to move oxygen from one part of
the body to another. Smoking also interferes with other chemicals that
let the body release enough oxygen to the cells.
4. Post-surgery
complications are greater for smokers-
Scientists at Bispebjerg
University Hospital in Denmark found that patients who quit smoking
before surgery were significantly less likely to develop complications
post-surgery. The researchers found that, on average, patients who quit
smoking pre-surgery were kept in the hospital two days less than those
who kept smoking before their surgery.
Remember, you should
strive to come to surgery with a body that is at its healthiest. The
trauma of surgery is hard on your body. Smoking will only make it harder
for your body to heal. In some cases, surgeons may even elect not to
treat a patient if they are smokers.
B) Smoking cessation for
surgery:
If you're a smoker, the best thing you can do for your
body prepare for surgery is to quit altogether, or at least reduce
dramatically the number of cigarettes you smoke each day. Recent
research suggests that smokers stop smoking at least six to eight weeks
prior to surgery. Unfortunately, many of the smoking cessation products
that would normally be available to smokers are not recommended for
those heading into surgery. Nicotine gum and nicotine patches are not
advised for surgery patients. The nicotine in the gum acts similarly as
cigarette nicotine, interfering with the healing process in much the
same manner. Nicotine patches are also dangerous because the flow of
nicotine can interfere with the flow of blood.
1) Many hospitals
and clinics offer smoking cessation clinics that help surgery patients
stop smoking before their scheduled surgery. Here are a few general
guidelines on smoking cessation for surgery.
2) Stop immediately.
If you are scheduled for upcoming surgery, you don't have time to wean
yourself off cigarettes. Most doctors advise that you stop smoking as
soon as you are told about your surgery. For many people, the health
scare is enough to throw the cigarettes out!
3) Read up on your
surgery. Take the time to learn about your surgery. This will help you
stay focused on your health, and the importance of keeping your body in
good shape for the surgery. While you don't have to go into detail,
become familiar with the procedure.
4) Speak to your physician
about smoking cessation aids you can use. Many times, surgery patients
are unable to use such smoking cessation aids as nicotine gum and the
nicotine patch. Find out what options are available for your specific
case.
5) Quit together. Find someone to quit with you. Making the
commitment to quit with someone else will help keep you focused on
staying cigarette-free. Also, you should strive to maintain a smoke-free
household during your recovery. Some doctor's recommend that all
household smokers quit or dramatically reduce smoking during the
patient's recovery period.
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