Question:
morning of surgery...1 and 1/2 weeks smoke free
anyone request a pulminary eval the morning of surgery and what about maybe a nebulizer treatment????? — TRULUV2329 (posted on May 28, 2002)
May 27, 2002
I was smoke free for 3 weeks before surgery, and I wish I would of stopped
long before that.
I had no problems with surgery, but had a great deal of problems with
breathing afterwards, I am not trying to scare you, but it is possible you
will have problems with getting enough oxygen in your blood after, 1 think
the Doctor told me was to start taking very deep breaths before surgery to
get your lungs use to good air.
You can go to my profile and read my section on smoking and breathing
I would suggest you let your Doctor know how long you have been smoke free,
so he can confere with the antheoligist (sp)
Good Luck on our journey
— Jeri P.
May 27, 2002
I have never smoked a day in my life and I still had problems breathing
after surgery. My opinion: reschedule the surgery for a couple of months
down the line and get those lungs healthy! You'll need all the strength
you can muster.
— Terissa R.
May 28, 2002
i'm not a smoker, but i know my doctor makes a patient be smoke free for 3
months prior to surgery. i'm sure it would be much easier to breathe.
— candymom64
May 28, 2002
I smoked up until the day before surgery. Yes, I had trouble breathing in
the hospital and had to be on oxygen until I was able to take deep breaths.
I haven't smoked since and I still get out of breath if I do too much at
one time but otherwise I feel great. I had my surgery on April 5th and my
surgeon told me to quit smoking in January. I tried but I just couldn't.
The oxygen scared me and so I know I'll never pick up another cigarette
again. Good luck. I don't think you need to reschedule your surgery
(you've waited soooo long for this day to come right?) Just tell your
surgeon how long its been since your last smoke and let him decide.
— Peggy D.
May 28, 2002
I JUST HAD TO POST TO THIS. I HAD MY CONSULT IN FEB. 2002, DOCTOR TOLD ME
THEN, YOU MUST BE SMOKE FREE FOR 2 MONTHS TO HAVE SURGERY. SURE NO PROBLEM,
WELL DID I LISTEN TO HIM, NO. HE HAD ME HAVE PULMONARY TESTS AND BLOOD
GASES DONE, MARCH 18TH HE CALLS ME AND SAID WHEN YOU HAVE QUIT SMOKING FOR
2 MONTHS, HAVE ANOTHER TEST AND I WILL SCHEDULE YOUR SURGERY. WELL NEEDLESS
TO SAY I AM GOING ON 3 MONTHS OF BEING SMOKE FREE AND NEVER FELT BETTER, I
HOPE TO GET A DATE THIS WEEK. IF YOU CAN QUIT MONTHS BEFORE DO IT, IT WILL
BE SO MUCH EASIER ON YOU AFTER SURGERY. GOD BLESS YOU.
— Gale G.
May 29, 2002
I smoked for 15 years and quit 3 weeks prior to surgery. I had no problems
with breathing or oxygen levels after.
— RebeccaP
May 29, 2002
I have to say... I smoked a pack a day for 8 years... I cut back the week
before surgery because I was not able to quit. I had my last cigarette the
day before surgery and have been tobacco free ever since...but, that is not
why I decided to write... I just thought I would say that I had stronger
lungs than the non-smoker in the bed next to me and actually got out of the
hospital 1 day earlier than my doctor's protocol. Anyway, I think that I
was really pushing it by not being smoke-free before surgery, but I am now
and God watched over me to make sure that my surgery was virtually pain
free. shew... glad I got that out =)
— Beffy W.
May 29, 2002
I was a very heavy smoker up until may of 2001. I quit just before major
surgery. I had a very rough time with that surgery. I have not smoked
since then but had a very rough time with my WLS. I ended up on a vent in
ICU for 3 days. I am now on oxygen 24/7. I'm hoping to be off soon. My
advice is to quit as soon as you decide you are going to try to have this
surgery. I quit cold turkey and if I could do it anyone can. Judy Shock
— Judy S.
August 22, 2002
I smoked through other surgeries & was o.k. My surgeon didn't tell me
to stop. He's out of town. Scheduled in 1 month. Don't know if I can quit
now. NOT a calm time in my life. After I travel, will my surgeon still DO
SURGERY???
— Ann M.
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