Question:
i have 11 days til surgery will my lungs get any stronger if i quit smoking today?

and ive also heard that you get flu like symptoms after quiting how long will this last? im dying for a cigarette let me know if its even worh quiting today    — TRULUV2329 (posted on February 19, 2002)

February 18, 2002
I have never been a smoker and have a great set of lungs. I was so happy about this after the surgery when I could hardly breathe. The anesthesia makes everything harder: breathing, urinating, eating, etc. It's like it totally freezes all the functions of your body. I recovered from surgery quite easily, even though I had an open procedure rather than lap. The doctors said this was due to my lung capacity and also the fact that I was getting out of bed several times a day and walking around the hospital. My opinion: quit now!!! You may as well make lots of lifestyle changes at once. You will never regret quitting smoking, since it will make you so much healthier. Good luck to you and good luck especially with your surgery.
   — Terissa R.

February 18, 2002
YES it will help if you quit now. I do know it's hard because I quit several years ago. But there are studies that show that even a few days without cigarettes will help your lungs. Believe me, you will be glad when you have to cough and use the spirometer after your surgery. Good luck and hang in there. You CAN do it!
   — garw

February 19, 2002
Yes!!! it's never to late... After surgery breathing is hard and some smokers suffer from chronic cough (you do NOT want to cough if you don't have to... it hurts!!!!)the spirometer is hard for non smokers so you can imagine if you smoke it'll be a chore. Good luck with your surgery!!!!!
   — Monica J.

February 19, 2002
Yes... Yes... YES! Something that gets often gets forgotten when talking about smoking and surgery is the impact that it has on your circulation. Smoking causes blood vessel constriction, especially in the small vessels. That microcirculation is key to tissue healing. Stop now and you'll have better blood flow to all of those "cut tissues" that will be in need of oxygen and nutrition in order to heal properly. You can do it! JK, RN
   — Joya K.

February 19, 2002
My surgeon insists on 6 weeeks smoke free. At my pre-op there was a lady who reaked of cigarettes, either she or someone she lived with was a smoker. She didn't get out of bed for 3 days and then could only walk a couple of steps with a walker. The rest of us were walking around within 12 hours after surgery. I don't think it was a coincidence. Please stop smoking now, for your own sake.
   — [Anonymous]

February 19, 2002
Whether or not you are getting surgery, for heavens sake, yes quitting smoking would be worth it. I don't smoke and never have, but I watched my grandfather gradually die from a life of smoking. It was a lesson to me to never pick up that habit. Do all you can to stop smoking!!!!!!!
   — Dell H.

February 19, 2002
i am in the same situation, i have only a couple of weeks until my surgery and have smoked for 16 years. i need to quit anyway, its hard enough to catch my breath just when moving from carrying all of this weight, i asked my doctor, not surgeon fo a perscription for nicatrol inhalers and he wrote it and the insurance paid for it, im gla because the months supply was close to 500$ but i figure i do not want to be recovering from surgery and having withdrawls from nicatine and i wont be able to smoke in the hospital anyway but i am not going cold turkey, been there , done that- the inhalers give you something to hold and have in your mouth if you have a problem with the hand to mouth thing, otherwise some may turn to food, not good in our situation and thats why so many gain weight when they quit smoking- i ill wean down from the inhalers but at least for now and sugery i will not be ingesting anything but the nicotine and my lungs can get stronger, there are no cravings- give it a try- good luck -0h and you can use it in the hospital if you have to. april honeycutt
   — APRIL H.

February 20, 2002
Any time you give your lungs a break, it is good. Do yourself a favor and protect yourself from post op respiration problems. Carry around a water bottle. Whenever you want the cigarette, take a drink of water or juice. Keep walking...around the house, in the park, in the mall. You are going to breathe easier, and your recovery will be MUCH easier not having to fight the smokey lungs. Good Luck, it's not going to be easy, just better.
   — Elizabeth P.