Tobacco after surgery
Hey Steve, My dad has advanced emphysema, and my mom died of lung cancer. My dad would die within a day or two without his oxygen and breathing treatments, my mom suffered for 2 1/2 years with cancer before finally passing. Both caused by the use of tobacco/nicotine. I would quit for the sake of your kids. They are worth it. Mom has missed a lot of mine and my sis' life. Mom died when I was 19, my sis was only 16. If the doc says tobacco will cause problems post-op, then I would go with his advice to quit. Easier said, than done! I know. I've heard that brushing your teeth several times a day keeps the craving minimal. Not sure though. Ronnie
You are not the only hillbilly. I have been using snuff for several years myself. I am going to use it as a reason to quit. I figure if I am going to go through all this to improve my health I might as well go all the way. That is just me. I have at least 3 months before the operation. So I should have it wipped by then. I think trying to stop chewing and the new diet might be to much.
Steve, I thought this was a ‘hill-bily-southern-thang’ too. No!! Got a Guy here from Jersey who just finished ‘kicking the Habit’ Jersey spit-cups? Who’d have thunk it?! Use this chance to kick it! For early on Post-surgery, it’s important to get the nicotine out of your system. It constricts the capillaries, those smallest of the small little tubes in our circulation system. It is in the capillaries that the exchange between the blood and the cells of the body takes place. Here the blood releases its oxygen and takes on carbon dioxide, except in the lungs, where the blood picks up oxygen and releases carbon dioxide. In the special capillaries of the kidneys, the blood gives up many waste products in the formation of urine. Capillary "beds" are also the sites where white blood cells are able to leave the blood and defend the body against harmful invaders. Capillaries are so small that when you look at blood flowing through them under a microscope, The cells have to pass through in single file. When these capillaries constrict, All of these activities are reduced. Since the area of a trauma or cut need extra blood/oxygen/food exchanges in order to heal the tissue, Anything that constricts the capillaries Slows the production of new tissue- Healing. Someone who dips or smokes "Heals" or generates new tissue 40% to 60% slower than those who do not. This also accounts for the less elastic and more wrinkled skin for those who dip/smoke and consume caffeine. Use this chance to get rid of it. Helps you heal faster, reduce complication risk, and heal with saggy skin after the weight-loss. It’s a Hard one to Kick! Best Wishes- Dx
on 3/23/07 7:54 am - MO
