Quit Smoking

Smoking increases the risk for many problems after your operation. It can:

• Make it hard for you to breathe
• Make an infection in your wound (incision) more likely
• Increase your chance of having a heart attack

Ask your surgeon about how to quit smoking. Quitting will not only reduce these risks, it will also improve your overall health and even add years to your life.

• Smoking Cessation Checklist
• Quit Smoking Before Surgery
• How Long Should Patients Be Off Cigarettes Before Surgery?
• The Link Between Smoking and Colorectal Surgical Outcomes
• Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality-Make Good on Your Resolution To Quit Smoking
• Become an Ex
• Freedom from Smoking
• SmokeFree.gov
• Tobacco Quitline Services
• 1-800-Quit-Now
  Quitline is a quit smoking coaching service available through the toll free telephone number, 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669). Quitlines are staffed by counselors trained to help smokers quit. These counselors, who are much like coaches, provide you with lots of helpful information, advice, and support. No matter who you are, if you are looking to quit tobacco, these guys can help.