It is important that you conduct a healthy lifestyle before and after surgery.
This includes:
- Smoking Cessation - smoking delays wound healing and increases the risk of developing a chest infection. For tips on quitting smoking, go to the NHS stop smoking website.
Alcohol, such as wine, should be enjoyed responsibly - Reducing alcohol consumption - alcohol suppresses the immune system and increases the risk of developing infections. For support with reducing alcohol consumption, go to the DrinkAware website.
- Management of anaemia - anaemia, if left untreated, affects the immune system and increases your risk of illness, infection and risk of developing heart and lung complications. You will be tested for anaemia and treated appropriately prior to your operation. For more information, go to the NHS aneamia website.
- Managing stress - stress can cause physical changes in your body which are designed to help you take on threats. Stress can alter your immune system’s ability to heal wounds. For guidance on how to manage stress, go to the NHS stress management website.
- Managing Anxiety - it is normal to feel anxious before an operation and it is important to seek help if it becomes an ongoing problem. Anxiety during the preoperative period is the most common problem associated with post operative complications such as increase in post op pain, delay of healing and prolonged hospital stay. For information on managing anxiety, go to the NHS anxiety management website.
- Managing Depression - depression is a low mood that lasts for weeks or months and affects your daily life. For more information, go to the NHS depression management website.