Why do I NEED to quit smoking before surgery....Again?

Ok for real, I know the rewards will be great, BUT this is HAAAARRRRDDDD! I am down to one or two cigs a day, but just can't get to ZERO!!! I have surgery in 20 days. I want my body, my lungs, to be ready! But just how important is it again? Holli

Holli, You know why.. lung capacity.. anasthesia.. all sorts of things. I just had my pre-op today and that was one of the first things they asked me. I don't smoke... but they said you have to be ciggarette free for a certain time before surgery. Don't risk it. Good luck! -Brook

Nicotine increases your chances for complications. It slows down the healing process and presents more risk factors to your lungs, heart, and over all health before, during and after surgery. The other chemicals that are in the cigeretts (such as tar) back up your liver and other organs cruicial to your metabolism and digestion. Every cigertte you have makes your liver work triple overtime to try and detox the poisons which slows everything else it does down - including your metabolism and fat burning capabilities. Put that in had with the surgery... not good and not the results you want.

OK, okay! You are exactly right and full of information I never knew! So, I need to get moving on the liver cleansing. I'll research that in a minute. Thank you Beautiful Dreamer for your time and your caring~ Holli

I just thought I would let you know that I quit smoking last November...so if you need any help, support, or just someone to scream at.... let me know....I will help you!!!:-) Holly

I love meeting Holli's! I have done a lot of screaming and head bitting~ my poor husband! It is like wow Holli you are doing good not smoking & then I am like what do you mean? And he is like okay never mind! SO yes Holly I may need more people to scream at besides him! Holli

it's very difficult..i've not had a single cigarette for 6 days. I don't want to be put off for something like smoking. I use the commit lozenges when i am having such a hard time I can't handle it...and if you're only smoking 1-2 a day, then you're not really physically dependent, you're mentally dependent...which is the hard part for me to kick. I try the lozenges, and a dark room and just some quiet, and it seems to help...plus, if i smoked now, all that work I did and suffering I'm doing would be for nothing, so I guess it's mostly stubbornness that's keeping me from smoking. Good luck...I've been smoking since I was thirteen (11 years ago) and I know it's really really really hard.

Thank you guys! I need the encouragment and to be put in my place! Thank for the words of support and wisdom~ Holli

THanks Kristin! I have stuck to the want to smoke, just eat plan! So I will try the lozenges plan, sounds better~ Holli