Anyone have to go through quitting smoking to get ready for surgery?

Hi :)  I am almost through all my pre-op clearances and classes.  I am also quitting smoking and having a stressful time at it.  Is anyone else going through this? Or does anyone know how long before the surgery date you have to be completely done with smoking?  Any info would be great!  Thanks alot :)

HI!

I'm scheduled for my surgery on Nov 24th with Dr. Miller of the Mid Ohio Surgical group. He told me that if anyone hadn't stopped smoking at least 5 weeks prior to surgery that the surgery would be cancelled. No ifs, ands or buts about it!
It was a HUGH challenge for me until I got mad at myself for putting cigarettes before what i hope to be a life changing opportunity.
I quit in July and still WANT a cigarette at least 2-3 times a day. The urge only lasts for a few moments. I just start doing something else to take my mind off of it.

Good Luck to you

I'm going thru the same thing you are. I'm trying to quit smoking, and it's ridiculous how hard it is to do so.  But i figured it's for the greater good so I'm trying. That and if I don't quit, my doctor will cancel the surgery. Those basically are my two inspirations. I hope I've been of some help!

Whitney

I quit smoking about a month ago and just had a urine test yesterday because I was told the surgeon has to have evidence that I have quit. I used patches and blow pops and lots of gum to quit. It was a HUGE struggle but I feel like I have worked this whole year doing everything asked of me to make this happen so why would I let that stand in my way?? I still have cravings for a smoke but I wait and they pass. I feel like I will have to deal with food cravings so I need to start somewhere....Hang in there!!!

Quitting smoking was my biggest obstacle before my surgery.  I quit a month before my surgery and they did check me to make sure I was nicotine free before surgery.  I am sure it helped alot with my recovery to be free of cigs and the healing process and I don't have to worry about ulcers or anything now either as well.
Good luck to you!  It will be well worth it to quit.

Hi!

I too was told that I would have to quit smoking before having surgery.  I was told that I would have to quit for three months!  This is at Ohio State University Hospital.

I was wondering how they test for this.  Is it a urine test? 

My husband also smokes.  He smokes two packs a day.  So, I'm wondering if I could test positive for nicotine just being around him smoking, even if I quit?

Tracy

They will probably do a nictone blood test. My doc told me this is due to the tobacco eats your stomach. It can take up to 3 months for your stomach to heal once you quit smoking. Most insuance company's demand a nicotine test due to this is an elective surgery. You really will notice how much better you feel just being nicotine free sfter about a week. My breathing got much better, less snoring (although, you do have some pretty vivid dreams the first week of not smoking) other than that, I figured if my smoking didn't kill me, my obesity would, so why not get rid of both. My husband smokes as well as everyone I work with, so I am around smoke all the time. It doesn't bother me though. I would think you would still test positive, but they can tell if it is actual nictine from you smoking or second hand smoke. Good luck. Try Chantix, it worked for me. It tells your brain to not want cigs.