Smoking Question

Hello everyone, Ok so I have the nutrition and tests scheduled for 5/25 and the EGD for 6/2....I will be having all of this at Emory(Crawford Long) I have Dr. Lin....I am a social smoker....I have cut down a lot (when from a whole park a day a year ago to little less then 7 a day) I have heard that some Docs do nicotine tests....does anyone know if they do at Emory? I am trying to quit but is hard, really hard...if anyone has any insight please let me know....thanks Erica

I am not being critical... I smoked for many years. However, the reason they want you to stop smoking before surgery is it greatly increases your risks. I would suggest you bite the bullet and go cold turkey.

Erica, Also the MDs will tell you they don't want to do surgery to help with the 2nd leading cause of deaths if you continue to smoke, which is the #1 leading cause of death. That is what Dr Hart told us during the first visit with him. D'Lynn 232/229/195

I smoked beforee my surgery, too. But haven't had one since, and that was 10 months ago! I also cut way back before my surgery and after my surgery I was so focused on other things that the cigarettes were no longer an issue. And I have (had) smoked for over 35 years! Now that I have recently had back surgery I had to sign a statement at my neurosurgeon's office that I will not smoke for a year, it will aid in the bone fusion. No Problem! Each surgeon has his/her own rules considering smoking. Also, you may want to check with the Anesthesia department, too. Either way, it will benefit you greatly if you are able to quit before your surgery. Good luck with quitting AND with your surgery! See you on the other side! Patti