Patients should not smoke until the wound has fully recovered from cholecystectomy, i.e. after about 7 to 10 days or even longer, but it is advisable to avoid smoking, which is harmful to health.
Smoking interferes with wound healing, increasing the risk of infection and the likelihood of scar formation. A large number of tobacco-related chemicals have a harmful effect on tissue oxygen saturation and immune response, leading to a decrease in the body’s ability to clear microorganisms and a decrease in wound healing, which can lead to poor postoperative wound healing, and may also increase the risk of postoperative infections, which can lead to adverse outcomes.
Postoperative recovery varies from patient to patient and the relevant doctor should be consulted. Patients are advised to quit smoking preferably.