Are you not supposed to smoke 24 hours before general anesthesia?

Question

my surgeon knows i smoke but he didn't say anything about not doing it 24 hours before but i keep hearing you shouldn't

Answer 1

Smoking before anesthesia is actually good, as it satisfies an addiction and won't effect the anesthetic.  If you want to decrease your chance of pulmonary complications you'll have to quit for about six weeks.

The plastic surgeons will tell you that nicotine constricts blood vessels and impairs wound healing.  Many of them will refuse to operate if you continue to smoke.

Answer 2

You shouldn't smoke at all, of course.  Everybody knows that.

Smoking affects both the cardiac and respiratory systems.  If you can stop a day or two before surgery, it will actually improve your cardiac function somewhat.  It's not enough time to do much for your respiratory function.  You're going to try to cough up a lung no matter what, and are at increased risk for serious respiratory complications.  

Not smoking after surgery will help with oxygenation and wound healing.  If you don't mind post-op complications, like wounds coming open and delayed healing, then you can keep on smoking.  It's your body.

This is an excellent opportunity to quit smoking and start living a healthier life. I hope you make the decision to go that route.

Good luck with your surgery.

Answer 3

I've never heard about before the surgery, BUT, afterwards? Yes, don't do that because it causes dry sockets and my god are they ever painful! They're 10 times worse than a toothache and if you get a dry socket, they have to drill it back out.

Answer 4

You shouldn't smoke ever. Your surgeon probably knows that it's useless to tell a nicotine addict not to smoke.

Answer 5

smoking won't harm you, especially since it will take you about 2 hours to be processed once admitted.  Most important thing is not to drink or eat the day of your procedure (or very late the night before).

As for smoking in general, its very harmful to your body - lung cancer, heart disease, saggy b*****s, etc - but as an adult you know this and its ultimately your choice whether to continue or not.  The surgeon probably realizes this, and that's why he didn't bring up the issue of not smoking with you.