Can You Smoke Before Hernia Surgery?

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The recovery after surgery usually takes several weeks before you’re able to carry out your normal activities.

Laparoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure, which is more difficult than open hernia repair. General anesthesia is usually required, and surgeons will make several a few small cuts to insert special surgical instruments. The benefits, you can have less scarring or discomforts after surgery. But some experts say the risk of hernia recurrence is higher with laparoscopic procedure than conventional open surgery.

It seems each type of hernia surgery has pros and cons. For more guidance, talk with your surgeon! The most important thing to remember, make sure that the operation can provide benefits that outweigh its potential risks!

So, can you smoke before hernia surgery?

There are some precautions and considerations to remember before having hernia surgery. Again, the risks of the procedure should be concerned as well – talk with your surgeon so you will have the best decision for your condition!

How about smoking? If you’re a smoker, should you stop smoking before the operation?

In general, it’s recommended to stop smoking at least about two months before your surgery (ask your doctor for more guidance). Quitting can help reduce your risk of having surgery-related complications. The earlier you quite, the lower the risk of developing the complications!

If you can stop smoking, your surgery and treatment are more likely to work better. Also, you can add years to your life and improve your overall health! Quitting could save about 6-8 years of your life. Other benefits include:

  1. You’re more likely to have a shorter stay in hospital and a faster recovery.
  2. Saving more money, about $1,300 or more each year.
  3. Reducing the risk of many diseases. The main ones are heart disease and lung cancer.
  4. Keeping second-hand smoke (passive smoking) far away from your loved ones’! Even if you’re not a smoker and you’re undergoing surgery, it’s also recommended to avoid any exposure to second-hand smoke.
  5. And more!

But if you continue to smoke, you will be more likely to have a number of serious complications during and after surgery. Some of them are as follows:

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