What We Will Cover:

• Why quitting is important and timing matters
• The risks of smoking during and after bariatric surgery
• How smoking affects long-term results
• Where to find support to help you quit
  
  

Why Quitting Is Important

Quitting smoking is one of the most powerful things you can do before having weight loss surgery. It helps protect your health during the operation and supports your recovery afterwards. Surgery puts your body under stress. Stopping smoking helps ease that additional stress by allowing your lungs and heart to work more effectively, giving your body the best chance to heal well. 

Many NHS hospitals will not book your surgery if you continue to smoke and have not taken steps towards quitting, which can lead to delays. This is because smoking causes serious complications. It can affect your breathing, slow wound healing, and increase the risk of infections or even premature death.

Nicotine, whether from smoking or vaping, narrows your blood vessels (a process called vasoconstriction). This limits the amount of oxygen and nutrients your body can deliver to tissues. This slows healing and increases the risk of blood clots, ulcers, internal leaks, or perforation after surgery. Vaping is often seen as a safer option, but nicotine-containing vapes can still have similar harmful effects on recovery and outcomes. You are therefore encouraged to stop these as well before surgery.

Timing Matters

Most NHS surgery teams ask you to quit at least 2 weeks to 12 months before surgery, depending on the bariatric service. Some may require even longer. Quitting early gives your body the time it needs to adjust and start healing, which can improve how well you recover from surgery. Stopping in advance means you’re less likely to face delays to your surgery date and reduces the pressure on you. It gives you the space to find the right support and more time to manage any cravings, habits, or emotional challenges that might come up along the way.

Remember, your care team isn’t trying to punish you. They want to keep you safe during and after surgery so you can get the best possible outcome.

‍

Impact On Long-Term Results

Quitting smoking is not only about surgery day,  it’s about future success. After bariatric surgery, your body needs to absorb nutrients properly and maintain good circulation to help you stay well. Smoking disrupts these processes, with 21% of smokers having a higher chance of being readmitted within 30 days post-surgery.

It also increases your chances of long-term health issues, such as:

• High blood pressure
• Poor blood flow
• Heart disease
• Cancer

Stopping smoking means you’re more likely to reach and keep your weight loss goals, feel more energetic, and reduce your risk of future illness. 

‍

Worried About Weight Gain?

It's normal to worry about gaining weight when you quit smoking, especially before surgery. Some people do gain a little at first, but it’s usually short-term and can be managed by continuing to make/manage lifestyle changes with the support of your Roczen team..

Here’s what can help:

• Keep regular, Roczen-friendly meals balanced and steady
• Aim to meet the 2L to 2.5L hydration recommendations throughout the day
• Add in some movement, keep taking part in any exercise programmes you were doing previously
• Speak to your mentor via groups for tips on managing cravings 

Remember, stopping smoking helps your body in many more ways than a small weight change can undo.
‍

Support To Help You Quit

You don’t need to quit alone. Here are some tools and people ready to help you:

‍
‍Summary

Quitting smoking before surgery can feel tough, but it’s one of the best choices you can make for your health. It helps keep you safe, improves your recovery, and protects your long term success. With the right help, anybody can stop smoking and you are not alone. We’re here to support you.