The best thing you can do to improve your life and your health is to quit smoking. Your surgeon will recommend that you quit smoking at least two weeks prior to surgery to avoid complications and aid soft tissue and bone healing. Smoking increases the risk of poor bone and wound healing. Some surgeons advise their patients not to have surgery until they have quit smoking, because of the high risk of complications and ultimately poor outcome.
Quit smoking and you’ll start feeling better within 24 hours. The minute you stop smoking, your body begins cleansing itself of tobacco toxins. Two days after you quit, your risk of heart attack will start decreasing … and that’s just the beginning!
It’s never too late to reap the benefits and with the right combination of practice, determination and support, you will be able to stop smoking for good!
Here are some websites that can help you quit smoking:
Smoker’s Helpline
Provincial and Territorial Smokers’ Helpline
Quit4Life (supported by Health Canada)
Stop Smoking for Safer Surgery (Anesthesiologist)