Smokers and surgery

Anyone honestly smoke and have surgery? I know it is preferable to quit, but did anyone have a hard time? not being able to, Jade

i am a former smoker. I quit to have this surgery. It is not easy to give up smoking and to be honest i do miss it at times. The first four days are the hardest. Once the nicotine is out of your system... its just breaking the oral habit. I have heard horror stories of the complications that have happened to peopel because they did not stop smoking. I also know that the doctors do test your blood for nicotine. I was. You just have to make the choice to stop and put your mind to it. Hope this helps some... Take care. Chrisitne

Jade, I smoked for 40 years, yes I said 40 years...!!! I quit for my surgery on Nov 28th 06. over 2 months ago. I just had surgery last Monday. I don't miss it, because I don't want to miss it. My husband and daughter both smoke in the bathroom and spray away, I still smell it a mile away, and it is repulsive. I cann't believe how I smelled the same way and never knew it. If you have surgery and don't quit.........flat out you could die,ok? or at the least get severe infections in your lungs. You have to want the surgery and the results of the surgery more than you want to smoke. You can do it......as they say "if I did it, anyone can" That is the truth. Theres a million ways to stop. Good luck Cissy

hi Jade i smoked for 25 years -- had 2 surgeries in that time and 2 children -- i never thought anything of it -- i quit on 6/18/02 because i couldn't get the dam thing lit cuz i was so sick -- i was soooo mad!!! but i never bought another pack -- now i can't even THINK of spending $6 for cigarettes -- was it hard?? of course!! i still like the smell at times -- other times i can't stand the smell -- i still want a cigarette at certain times -- then i look at an old lady smoking and i think 'my god that could have been me, she looks horrible' surgeons, doctors, nurses will all tell you that your healing time will be much longer if you smoke -- anesthesia will be more complicated if you smoke -- respitory problems after surgery will be worse if you smoke -- blah blah blah i'm sure you have heard it all i believe that if i still smoked and had the RNY that i would still smoke -- i don't think it would sway my decision but 4 years later -- nah i don't want to smoke anymore -- i'd much rather buy clothes good luck Roberta

Quit before the surgery if you can. It'll be easier to lose the weight you gain Ok..joking aside, it'll be better for you if you quit now. Surgery on smokers is a risky thing.