Anesthesiologists Care About Your Health

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Anesthesiologists Care About Your Health
Anesthesiologists care about your long term
health. Anesthesiologists are the operating room
heart and lung specialists. Anesthesiologists
are responsible for your well being during
surgery. Quitting smoking is one of the best
things you can do to recover from surgery without
complications. There is no better time to quit
smoking than before surgery.
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Most Smokers Have Thought About Quitting
Its tough to quit smoking. Nicotine is a very
addictive drug. It takes most people several
attempts to eventually succeed. There are more
ex-smokers than smokers in the United
States. Often a life event triggers an attempt
to quit like surgery.
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Why Quit Smoking?

• Add 6 8 years to your life
• Reduce your lung cancer and heart disease risk
• Save an average of 1400 each year
• Reduce exposing others to smoke
• Smoking can make your surgery more risky
• Surgery is a great time to quit for good

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Smoking Affects Anesthesia and Surgery

• The Bad News
• Smokers have an increased chance of complications
  during and after surgery.
• Complications can include
• Healing problems, wound infections
• Lung problems, coughing and pneumonia
• Heart problems, heart attacks
• The Good News
• Quitting before surgery can decrease your risks.

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Quit Smoking as Early as Possible Before Surgery
Smoking affects your recovery process. The
earlier you quit, the better your chances are of
no complications. It is especially important not
to smoke the day of surgery. Stay off cigarettes
for as long as possible after surgery.
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Surgery is a Great Time to Quit Smoking for Good
Hospitals are smoke free. Most people are free
of cigarette cravings around the time of
surgery. Surgery may motivate you to make
permanent lifestyle changes.
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Where can I get help?
World Wide Web www.smokefree.gov www.cancer.org
www.lungusa.org Insurance Companies Blue
Cross Blue Shield Employer Sponsored
Programs Local Tobacco Treatment
Specialists 1-800-QUIT-NOW
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Call a Quit Line
1-800-QUIT-NOW is a confidential, free service to
help you quit smoking. A quit coach works with
you to develop a personalized plan and provide
information that will help you quit
tobacco. Medications may be available at no
charge to help you quit smoking.
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The Butt Stops Here
Surgery is a great time to quit smoking for
good. Quitting will help reduce surgery
complications. Anesthesiologists care about your
health. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW for free help.
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The American Society of Anesthesiologists Smoking
Cessation Initiative
Encourage all anesthesiologists to consistently
support their patients efforts to quit
smoking. Train anesthesiologists who can serve
as leaders in local efforts to provide tobacco
control services in surgical practice. Educate
the public regarding the importance of stopping
smoking for surgery. Create partnerships with
other healthcare professionals to promote a
comprehensive strategy for patients who smoke.
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Prepared by the American Society of
Anesthesiologists Smoking Cessation Task Force