Considering bariatric surgery? Quit Smoking. Today.

Anyone who smokes knows they should kick the habit. But quitting smoking is especially important for people considering bariatric surgery. The guidelines for bariatric surgery require patients to quit smoking 60 days prior to surgery.

The health consequences of smoking are well known and well documented, but these dangers are amplified for people with obesity. Along with the associated higher risk for cancer, heart disease and stroke, smoking increases the risks associated with surgery, including anesthesia-related complications, infections, heart attack, stroke, pneumonia and death. It also slows down healing time by narrowing blood vessels, restricting blood flow to the surgical site.

Smoking after bariatric surgery puts patients at significantly higher risk for a host of complications, such as ulceration of the gastric pouch, gastritis, infection and increased shortness of breath.

It is never too late to quit and Penn has several options to help people break their smoking habit. The health benefits of smoking cessation occur almost immediately and have a long-lasting impact.

Effects of quitting smoking* after:

• 20 minutes: Heart rate and blood pressure drop.
• 12 hours: Carbon monoxide level in the blood drops to normal.
• 2 weeks to 3 months: Circulation improves and lung function increases.
• 1 to 9 months: Coughing and shortness of breath decrease; cilia (tiny hair-like structures that move mucus out of the lungs) start to regain normal function in the lungs, increasing the ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs and reduce the risk of infection.
• 1 year: Excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker.
• 5 years: Risk for cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus and bladder are cut in half; cervical cancer risk falls to that of a non-smoker; stroke risk can fall to that of a non-smoker after two to five years.
• 10 years: Risk of dying from lung cancer is about half that of a smoker; risk for cancer of the larynx and pancreas decreases.
• 15 years: Risk for coronary heart disease is that of a non-smoker's.
  

For smokers who are interested in bariatric surgery, enroll in a smoking cessation program to begin the quest to a healthy lifestyle.

Local resources:

• Penn’s Comprehensive Smoking Treatment Program: A multidisciplinary team of specialists offers state-of-the-art, individualized treatment to help smokers quit safely and comfortable.
• Quit Smoking Program at Pennsylvania Hospital: The respiratory care team offers a five week program with counseling and support to help smokers overcome their addiction.
  
• Pennsylvania’s Free Quitline: The Philadelphia Department of Public Health offers a variety of resources to help residents quit smoking, including a free one-month supply of nicotine patches through the PA Free Quitline telephone counseling program at 877-724-1090.
  

Additional resources:

• American Cancer Society, 800-ACS-2345
• American Lung Association, 800-586-4872
  

Get help to begin the journey to health - today!

*American Cancer Society, Guide to Quitting Smoking.