Can you have surgery when you are sick?

If you’ve ever scheduled surgery, you might have heard that being sick can cause it to be delayed. But why is that? Why does a simple cold or cough mean you have to wait to have surgery? Let’s explore why doctors prefer that you’re in the best health possible before going under the knife.

1. Higher Risk of Complications

When you’re sick, your body is already using a lot of energy to fight off an infection or virus. Adding surgery on top of that can make things tougher for your body. If you have a cold, flu, or other illness, your chances of having problems—like infections or difficulty breathing—go up. For example, a respiratory infection could make it harder for your lungs to work properly during surgery, which can be dangerous.

2. Anesthesia and Illness Don’t Mix Well

Anesthesia is a strong medication that makes you sleep deeply during surgery so you won’t feel pain. When you’re sick, especially with something like a cold or sinus infection, your breathing can already be affected. This makes it harder for the anesthesiologist (the doctor who handles anesthesia) to monitor your breathing and keep you safe. You could have reactions to the anesthesia that might not happen if you were healthy, and there’s also a greater risk of issues like low oxygen levels.

3. Slower Healing After Surgery

After surgery, your body needs time and energy to heal. But if you’re already sick, your body’s resources are split between fighting off the illness and trying to recover from surgery. This can slow down the healing process and might mean you’ll take longer to feel better. Waiting until you’re healthy helps your body focus on healing from surgery, which can mean a faster, smoother recovery.

4. Protecting Health Care Staff and Other Patients

Health care facilities try hard to keep infections from spreading, and if you’re sick with something contagious, there’s a risk you could spread it to doctors, nurses, and other patients. Staff are in close contact with patients, and some patients may already have weakened immune systems. By rescheduling surgeries for people who are sick, health care facilities can keep everyone a little safer.

5. Giving Your Immune System a Boost

Even though you may not feel it, surgery is a kind of stress for your body. To recover well, your immune system (the part of your body that fights off illness and helps you heal) needs to be strong. When you’re sick, your immune system is already working hard, and adding surgery might be too much for it to handle all at once. Waiting until you’re feeling better gives your immune system the energy it needs to help you heal quickly after surgery.

What If You Need Surgery Right Away?

Sometimes, surgery can’t wait. For example, if someone has a serious injury or needs an emergency operation, doctors may still go ahead even if the person is sick. But for surgeries that aren’t emergencies, doctors usually want to wait until the patient is healthy. If you’re feeling unwell before surgery, it’s a good idea to tell your medical team. They’ll help you decide if it’s better to wait.

Bottom Line

Although it can be frustrating to delay surgery, being in good health makes a big difference in how safe the procedure is and how fast you’ll recover. Taking the time to get well before surgery can mean a smoother experience overall.

If you have an upcoming surgery, try to stay healthy by washing your hands, getting enough rest, and eating well. It might feel like a small thing, but going into surgery as healthy as possible can make a huge difference in how well it goes.