We all know that smoking is bad for our health Smoking also greatly increases the risk of complications during and after surgery. You can reduce this risk if you stop smoking as early as possible before your operation.
A minimum of eight weeks is recommended.
Whatever your reason for a hospital stay, one of the most important things you can do to speed up your recovery is to quit smoking.
You won’t be able to smoke whilst in hospital so you need to consider how you will manage this during your stay.
Stopping smoking before your op:
• Reduces lung and heart complications
• Speeds up bone and wound healing time
• Reduces length of stay in hospital
• Reduces anaesthetic related complications
• Reduces breathing problems, such as chest infections
You don’t need to do it alone. You are up to four times more likely to quit with help and support from a specialised service.
Contact your local Healthy Lifestyle Service for free help and expert advice:
NHS Smoking Helpline: 0300 123 1044
http://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking
Let them know that you are going to have an operation. Smoking is addictive due to the nicotine in cigarettes, but you can get lots of different types of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) to help you quit.
As well as NRT, there are other products available on prescription from your GP that can help you go smoke free.
You can also buy electronic cigarettes from many high street retailers or pharmacies.
Quitting before your op could be the start of a new Smoke Free you!
Smokers have a one in three risk of having breathing problems after an operation.
This can reduce to one in ten stop smoking eight if you weeks before your operation.
24-09 RNOH
Page last updated: 08 May 2025