South West Clinical Senate. Considering weight loss and smoking cessation criteria to improve surgical outcomes (May 2017)

Deliberation and recommendations around the subject: How best can weight loss and smoking cessation be encouraged through criteria for fitness for surgery and what is the evidence base for improved outcomes as a result? Based on the papers reviewed in advance of the session and the evidence heard on the day, the South West Clinical Senate Council agreed that there is compelling evidence demonstrating both improved surgical and wider health outcomes as a result of stopping smoking, even for a short period of time. Considerably less clear evidence was noted in the case of weight loss for surgical outcomes, particularly in relation to the amount of weight loss required and over what time period. The evidence that supports the wider overall health benefits of weight loss is uncontended