Surgery is a great opportunity to quit Smokers have a risk of serious complications during and after surgery. Having an operation is a good reason to quit smoking. For the greatest benefit, you should aim to quit smoking at least eight weeks prior to surgery. Quitting completely is the only way to stop and reverse the damage done by cigarettes—cutting down in the weeks before surgery does not reduce the risks of wound or lung complications. Remember, the longer you stop smoking, the better. However, if you have not quit, stopping smoking for at least 12 hours before surgery will help.