QUESTION?????

I am in the final stages before sugery and i had to go for blood test and an xray. My question is that i had to quit smoking for 4 weeks before my surgery (which it has been 4 weeks now and it is still killing me) but i do where the patch and at times chew the nicorette gum. When they test your blood do they test for smoking because my test will come back with nicotine due to the patch and gum?? Is there really any way to test to see if someone is still smoking or is it a general test for nicotine? I did tell the nurse that I was on the patch and nicorette gum, I will still need the patch when i am in the hospital. Thank You Kerry

hi kerry, ya know i think your probally better off posting on the main message board you'll get a faster response. I had no problem quitting smoking (used the patch) i want this surgery so bad. They can tell if your smoking by bloodwork. So how many more tests, whos your doc?

I am scheduled for April 5th for my surgery. I just went for my final blood test when they do a cbc and a chest xray and now i patiently wait for april 5th. So me using the patch or gum will not show up like i was smoking correct? Do you know if being around alot of smokers will affect the blood test. This scares me because my whole family smokes around me (which by the way kills me) but just like you the surgery is way more important then a cigarette. Dr Pohl is performing my surgery. What about you? Kerry

Kerry, The reason why the surgeon wants you to quit smoking is because of the obvious reasons ( it's bad for you). But, the most important reason why you shouldn't smoke before surgery is because it can interfere with your recovery from the anesthesia. When they put you "under", they intibate you ( put a tube down your throat and into your lungs). Then, a machine breathes for you. Before you get into recovery after the surgery, they take the tube out and this is when things can get complicated. If you are a smoker, you will struggle with breathing on your own after they take the tube out. But, if you don't smoke, or if you haven't smoked in weeks before surgery, your chances are better for breathing better on your own. Also....in the next few weeks after surgery, you (and everybody else that has surgery) are at a risk for clots. The nursing staff will give you something called an "incentive spirometer". Use this little plastic thing every time you look at it! All you do is put your mouth on it and suck on it like a straw. This helps you excercise your lungs. If you're a smoker, you won't do so well with this. Am I boring you yet?? LOL..... Sorry, I use to work in an Intensive Care Unit as a cardiac tech. Oh yeah.....the lab can only test for nicotine if they are looking for it in your blood. I have never seen a lab slip looking for nicotine in the blood. However, there is a test that is similar to a breathalizer that is used by many life insurance companies and it can detect nicotine. Being around a lot of smokers is not good for you. Especially if you are preparing for surgery. I would ask people to smoke outside ( at least until you go to surgery). Second hand smoke is the worst kind of smoke. But no....it can not be detected in your blood or breath unless you are the one smoking it. Sorry I rambled on like this... I wish you luck with your surgery! Keep in touch with all of us! Megan B