Question:
Can blood work tell the difference in smoking and patches?
I know that I was supposed to quit a month before surgery, but now it is 2 days before my pre-op testing and 7 days before my surgery, if I wear patches for the next seven days, will the tests show me as a smoker or just on the patch? I read on the Red Cross website that after 24 hours all carbon monoxide was out of the body and nicotine was out after 12 hours. My dr. thinks that I am on the patches, just not smoking. Please help! Can't afford to have surgery postponed, I financially can't afford to RE-meet my deductible! Thanks in advance! — India1 (posted on December 16, 2003)
December 15, 2003
A friend tried this, and the bloodwork clearly showed he was still smoking.
regular smoking has some marker chemicals that arent in the patch. You
should be honest with your surgeon, after all your life is in his hands.
How much is your deductible? Balance that against your safety and the
ongoing $ of smoking. Sorry for the bad news.
— bob-haller
December 15, 2003
My ex-husband was part of a testing program for smoking cessation in the
Air Force. They gave them patches and he did the same thing, he started off
pretty good but ended up not wearing the patches and smoking instead. He
went back to the patches about 3-4 days before a check in but the test they
performed on him tested for tobacco use as well, so they knew he had been
wearing the patches. He was told it takes your body longer to break-down
the tobacco than it does for the chemicals that are in your body. They
tested for tobacco use, not just nicotin and other levels. Quitting smoking
is very difficult, I wish you the best.
— Shayna T.
December 15, 2003
Ooooops! I made a typo, they knew he had NOT been wearing the patches.
Sorry.
— Shayna T.
December 15, 2003
Ok.. a little tough love here.. and I'm sure I'll get flamed for it.. but
if it was that important, you should have complied with your doctor's
orders. He didn't give them so that you would be unhappy -- but they are
important for your health and recovery. That doesn't help you now, I
realize but perhaps it will make someone else think twice. <br>My
advice is to be honest and stop looking for a way to cheat. One of the
most important things we can do for ourselves is BE HONEST with our
doctors.
— Lisa C.
December 16, 2003
Not sure if it will or not (I've read that blood gasses will show up to two
weeks after your last cig), but ya know what? If your doc finds out and IF
you've lied about it, I can see him/her refusing to be your surgeon in
future. Would you want a patient who lies? Oh and I'm a smoker so not
judging you for that. I just abhor people who lie. Not saying you're
going to, but it appears that way from the way your question is worded.
:>(
— [Deactivated Member]
December 16, 2003
i'm a smoker too, but i did quit for surgery. i never had a smokers cough,
but since i waited 3 days before surgery to quit my lungs started healing
and that causes you to cough. it was sooooooooooo painful to cough after
surgery!!! every cough felt like i was ripping open.and the nurses come in
every hour or so and make you breath in this breathing device(everyone has
this done) the best thing to do is quit right now and practice deep
breathing. this should help some.
— franbvan
December 16, 2003
Like someone said earlier, it's tough-love time. <br>I would call
your doc immediately and tell the <b>entire </b>truth.
EVERYTHING. Here's why: Since you are a smoker, they will probably test for
that the morning of your surgery. If you have had a hard time quitting, I
bet they don't believe that you will completely quit. And believe me, no
matter what, they will not do the surgery if they tell you ahead of time
that they won't if they suspect you are still smoking. If you tell them now
that you are quitting today, and will not smoke even one more time until
your surgery, that is what - nine days? That might pacify them. And you
need to heal properly after the surgery. I have read plenty of evidence on
how smoking post op promotes pneumonia and slows healing. Why fight to get
the surgery then take the chance??? Even one awesome gal on here who admits
she smokes says she wishes she would've quit just around the time of her
plastics just to heal faster. At least do it for that!<br>
I know from my clinic, they flat-out refuse to operate on smokers. Period.
That goes for WLS and for plastics. It sounds cold, but they don't want to
take the risk on someone who does not care enough about their own health
enough to stop long enough to have the surgery. I am sorry if that sounds
cold, but think about it. Who is benefiting form this surgery?<br>
Also, when they have to suddenly cancel the surgery at the last minute, it
doesn't just inconvenience you, the surgeon, your checkbook and your
insurance company. It messes up an entire surgical staff (about a dozen
people), the operating room schedule, etc. If they know today- nine days in
advance, they can give your spot to someone else who is ready to go. At our
clinic the waiting list is nearly ONE YEAR LONG. I know lots of people who
would jump at the chance to be moved up a notch or two.<br>
Take a deep breath, and get on the phone.<br>
Aren't you glad you asked? ;)
Flame on.
— kultgirl
December 16, 2003
I believe you should tell the truth, and face the consquences. If you lie
and surgery is cancelled that morning your surgeon might drop you
altogether. True it will cost you money but what about the cost of the
smokes. At one $5 pack a day thats $1825 a year. In ten years thats the
price of a new car.
— bob-haller
December 16, 2003
Ditto to those before me. I have been a smoker for almost 20 years...but
managed to quite for this surgery. If you are unable to fight this
demon....what about the food demon? I am petrified to dying on the table -
that's why I quit. I suggest total honesty. You deserve that!
— MissKimberly
December 16, 2003
Okay..one more person with an opinion here. I smoked briefly years ago
have never regretted giving it up. I realize I was never addicted to it,
but I have had plenty of experience with people who were HEAVY chain
smokers for 20+ years. They have always asked me why I didn't tell them how
bad they stunk? So..I'm going to be as blunt as possible..as a favor I'm
being honest with you... smoking really does stink. There is NO way to
hide it regardless of how much gum, mints, or fragrance is used. It is
detectable.
Getting back to the surgery...put yourself in the doctor's position. He is
rendering services based on certain criteria. Through experience he knows
that the BEST chances of recovery & compliance are by meeting these set
criteria. He is honest enough to let you know what the criteria are. He
has a right to expect his patients to meet those criteria.
Can someone quit smoking and undergo surgery? Oh, I'm sure they can. But
do you know what you're setting your body up for? Have you REALLY thought
this thru? Are you sure you're ready to deal with food issues if you
aren't able to give up this habit? Or are you going to be like me (pre-op)
and think that just because someone doesn't see you doing something that it
doesn't count?
Wake up dear.....you're setting yourself up for a rough road and the
journey is rough enough already.
Best wishes!
— Diane S.
December 17, 2003
India- if you read this, just wondering how you are doing, and hoping you
made out okay.
— kultgirl
December 18, 2003
Thank you all for you input and opinions. At the time I wrote this, I had
smoked one cigarette and was really freaking out. I guess in a way I was
trying to lie to myself to feel better and also, I guess looking for
permission to keep smoking. Thank you for being honest and VERY BLUNT! I
decided after I posted the question to just get back on the
"patch" wagon. I am still scheduled for surgery but I really
don't think that one cig in a 4 month period will hurt me. Thanks again!
— India1
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