How Tobacco And Marijuana Use Affect Your Surgery And Recovery

If you smoke, vape or use marijuana, your doctor may tell you to quit before surgery. That advice is more than a simple suggestion; stopping substance use before surgery a key way to keep you safe and help your body heal.

“Patients should avoid any substances before surgery. This includes marijuana (cannabis) and tobacco,” said Jovenel Cherenfant, MD, a general surgeon at Franciscan Health Munster, said. “Even though some people think cannabis leaves your system quickly, studies show it can linger for up to 30 days. That can interfere with how your body responds to anesthesia. It can also lead to serious issues like low blood pressure, irregular heart rate or deeper sedation than expected.”

It’s important to know that tobacco use damages your lungs and airways. This makes it harder to breathe under anesthesia. It also increases your risk for surgery complications, such as pneumonia or slow wound healing. Quitting, even for a short time, helps clear your system and lowers your risk.

“If you smoke or drink, it’s best to cut that out at least two or three weeks before surgery,” said Jessica Blandford, MD, board-certified general surgeon at Franciscan Health Munster and Dyer. “That window allows your lungs and blood vessels to start to heal. This will improve oxygen flow to your tissues and help wounds close properly after surgery.”  

Dr. Blandford also said that quitting before surgery can make a big difference in how you feel mentally.

“Surgery can be stressful. You will feel more in control of your recovery when you take steps to quit smoking or drinking,” she said.  

How Smoking Tobacco Affects Your Surgery

Smoking harms almost every part of your body, including how you heal after surgery. It limits blood flow, which makes it harder for oxygen and nutrients to reach the areas that need to heal. “This raises your risk of infections, delays wound healing and prolongs recovery,” Dr. Blandford said. 

It also makes breathing under anesthesia harder. Smokers are more likely to experience lung complications. This can include pneumonia or airway irritation, which can lead to longer hospital stays.

If you’ve smoked for years, quitting, even just a few weeks before surgery, can greatly reduce these risks.

“It’s never too late to quit,” Dr. Blandford said.

How Marijuana Affects Your Surgery

Marijuana may seem harmless, but it can affect your surgery.

“Cannabis, especially THC, changes how your body responds to anesthesia,” Dr. Cherenfant said. “It can cause unexpected drops in blood pressure, irregular heart rhythms or deeper sedation than we want.”

Vaping cannabis or using edibles can also affect your body’s response.

“Whether you smoke, vape or use edibles, it’s safest to avoid cannabis before surgery. We want your system to be clear so we can manage your anesthesia safely and effectively,” he said.

Want to learn more about how marijuana affects your health? Read our blog on marijuana and your health here.  

Why Quitting Early Matters

Both surgeons said quitting makes a real difference in your surgical outcome and recovery.

“When you stop smoking and drinking ahead of your surgery, your body has time to start to heal,” Dr. Blandford explained.

Need help quitting? Franciscan Health’s Aspire program offers personalized support and resources to help you stop smoking and vaping. Learn more about the Aspire Quit Smoking & Vaping Program.

Franciscan Health also offers an 8-week virtual program designed to help you reduce tobacco use. This supportive group provides a safe, non-judgmental space to connect with others and explore ways to cut back.

What If You Can’t Quit Completely?

Quitting is hard, and your doctors understand that. If you can’t stop completely, be honest with your care team. They can still take steps to manage your risks, like adjusting your anesthesia plan or providing extra monitoring during and after surgery.

“The most important thing is to be upfront,” Dr. Cherenfant said. “We’re here to help you have a safe procedure, and knowing what’s in your system helps us do that.”

Your Surgery Success Starts With Quitting Tobacco And Marijuana

“Quitting tobacco and marijuana, even for a short time, can help you have a safer surgery and smoother recovery,” said Dr. Cherenfant.