Quitting Smoking Before Surgery Improves Outcomes

Research shows that preparation before surgery is important to achieving the best possible outcome. Your overall health, the type of surgery and the anesthesia needed for the surgery will affect your outcome and the experience that you have. At the University of Minnesota Health Preoperative Assessment Center, an anesthesiology-led team evaluates patients and works with surgeons and other physicians to design a comprehensive care plan to poise patients for a healthy recovery from surgery.

One way for patients to prepare for surgery is to stop smoking.

Dr. Joyce Wahr recently told U.S. News in an interview, "Don't smoke, and if you do smoke, try to stop smoking at least two weeks before your operation. Every cigarette counts. If you can't stop smoking two weeks before your operation, at least don’t smoke the day of it."

Read the full U.S. News story.