Help us to help you get fit for your operation

We know that the way we live our lives can affect our long-term health.

Being significantly overweight can cause serious, potentially life-threatening conditions and affect your quality of life.

Smoking can cause a number of serious, life-threatening conditions; affect your quality of life and the lives of your friends and family too.

You may feel great, but if you need surgery and you smoke or are overweight, you are at a greater risk of serious complications during or after your operation. Your recovery can be seriously delayed too.

Support to lose weight

People in Hertfordshire who have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or more and need routine, non-urgent operations under general, spinal or epidural anaesthetic are required to lose weight before their operation takes place.

The good news is that there is lots of free support in Hertfordshire to help you to lose weight and get as fit as possible before your operation.

What help is there in Hertfordshire to help people lose weight?

• Hertfordshire County Council funds a FREE 12-week subscription to WW (formally known as WeightWatchers). Adults with a BMI of 30 and over are eligible for this with a few exceptions (those who have an eating disorder; those who have paid for WW themselves in the past 3 months and those who have received a free WW course in the past 18 months). Your GP can refer you.
• Men only ‘Shape up’ evening courses are run by Watford Football Club at locations all over the county, including Watford, St Albans, Hemel Hempstead, Borehamwood, South Oxhey, Hitchin and Hatfield. Places can be booked by visiting www.shapeupherts.com.

After weight loss you will have less chance of developing cancer or diabetes, have less need for intensive surgery and all together lead a longer, healthier life.

For more information, download our leaflet here.

Support to quit smoking

People in Hertfordshire who smoke and are referred for routine, non-urgent operations under general, spinal or epidural anaesthetic need to give up smoking or switch entirely to e-cigarettes for at least 8 weeks before their operation takes place.

The good news is that there is lots of free support in Hertfordshire to help you to stop smoking and get as fit as possible before your operation.

Stop Smoking Advisers are available at hundreds of clinics across Hertfordshire. Some advisers are based in GP surgeries and pharmacies.

Find a clinic near you: www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/stopsmoking or call 0800 389 3998 and talk to an adviser.

You will have access to weekly support, helpful advice on nicotine therapy and prescription-only medicines, motivation through the most challenging times and help to combat cravings.

Once you have given up smoking, not only are you in the best health possible ready for your surgery, but you are also now on the road to a road to a healthier life with benefits with improved breathing, heart rate and better oxygen levels in your blood just to name a few.

For more information, download our leaflet here.