According to a new study of 200,000 patients who smoked cigarettes, drank two or more alcoholic drinks a day, did both, or did neither before an operation, two habits are riskier than one when it comes to surgery-related problems. However, discussing the risks before surgery can be beneficial. Dr. Anne Fernandez, an addiction psychologist at the University of Michigan, led both studies on smoking and drinking related to surgery-related problems. According to Fernandez, ensuring patients understand the potential risks of smoking and drinking, and working on reducing them before the operation, could save their lives from an accidental overdose and reduce surgical complications.
