what if you stumble on smoke

I cut back on my smoking about 19.5 years ago. I was a two packer and one day took my cigs out of my pocket with my father and threw them away and I haven't smoked since. So I just cut back to so far one every 19.5 years. But cigar smoking is different. You don't inhale a cigar, right? So it wasn't as bad but still not good. I still say do what Linda and the others said and get that stuff. You'll get through it. kp

*putting on my nurses cap* Did your doctor explain why it's important to quit smoking before surgery, other than threatening to cancel surgery?  Here are a few things to consider Smoking before surgery puts you at risk for complications like blood clots, breathing difficulties and heart problems.  I work in the recovery room.  I recover bariatric patients every week (our bariatric surgeon only operates on Mondays and Tuesdays).  I see plenty of them spend the night in ICU on a ventilator b/c of breathing problems.  You don't want to be one of them!   In addition to the test for nicotine in the blood, your anethesiologist (the doctor who puts you to sleep, keeps you alive and wakes you up when surgery is all done) can tell if you have smoked because there with be carbon MONOXIDE in the air you exhale.   Their machines are smart enough to tell them which gases patients are exhaling!

EFFECT OF SMOKING Smoking does two things in terms of the cardiovascular system that anesthesiologists area concerned about. First, smoking increases the amount of carbon monoxide attached to hemoglobin in the blood. This has the effect of decreasing oxygen supply. Carbon monoxide also makes the heart pump more poorly, also decreasing the amount of oxygen that is delivered to the body. Second, nicotine increases the amount of oxygen that the body needs. So, oxygen supply is being compromised at the same time that more oxygen is being utilized.

Smoking obviously also affects the lungs. Among other thigns, smoking causes an increase in the amount of mucus secreted while at the same time decreasing the ability of the lungs to clear these secretions. In addition, smoking causes the small airways in the lungs to be narrowed and more prone to collapse. The end result of these effects are an increased susceptibility to infection, chronic cough and increased chance of pulmonary complications. Lastly, smokers also have increased sensitivity to stimuli and increased bronchial reactivity, increasing the chance for bronchospasm and other life threatening pulmonary processes.

This is not just theory. There have been multiple studies confirming that smoking increases the incidence of pulmonary complications after an anesthetic as much as six times. Smoking has been shown to be an independent risk factor for complications ranging from complications of lung function to wound healing to cardiovascular events such as heart attack. from: http://www.anesthesiologyinfo.com/articles/12012003.php Smoking after surgery delays healing (ie your incision).  Smoking decreases oxygen in the blood.  Oxygen is needed to keep your skin and organs alive and to promote healing.   http://www.no-smoking.org/jan02/01-16-02-1.html You CAN do this!  I second (or third) the recommendation to get a script for Chantix.  Many of my coworkers and both of my parents have quit using it.   *taking off my nurses cap* As a fellow preop patient, I know how hard you've worked to get here.  I can't imagine myself doing anything that would possibly get my surgery cancelled.  No, I don't smoke, and I know it's a powerful addiction.  I do, however, know the power of my food addiction and can relate on those terms.  Get the help you need NOW to succeed!  You'll thank yourself!

To add to the nurse above....when she talks about smoking effecting your "incision" it also means your internal "incisions"!!  There is also an increase in ulcers in post op smoking.   I wish you the best on quitting FOREVER and hope that you choose to tell you doctor.  Get this taken care of first so you can thoroughly enjoy your new "tool" and life.

I did quit on chantix and it does work. I did the same thing you did and slipped really close to surgery so depending on your surgeon and you quit again you will be ok. Just take one day at a time you can do this..

The important thing is that you are trying to quit.  I slipped up too and my surgery went through like a breeze.  I too was anxious.  I think that smoking is detesting, but when one has the habit and is making great leaps at quitting, then you should be proud.  You are going to have to do the same routine with food~break the new habits and replace them with healthy habits.

I just left the surgeon. I came clean he said he appreciated it. He was not concerned as I am not a 1/2 pack a day smoker. I am cleared for surgery... 11 days to rny

GREAT!  I am so glad it will not interfere with your surgery.   Good luck and do not light up that first one.....ever! Carole