Question:
I go for pre tests in 3 days will they find out if I smoked?

I Just got my date less then 3 weeks to prepare. I have tried to stop smoking and not as well as I thought it would go. I have stopped as of a few hrs ago. But now Im scared to death that there are pre tests that are gonna tell the surgon that I smoked. I dont wheeze or cough. But I have surgery set at the BTC and Im freaking out. I would love to set the surgery back but hubbys insurance is changing soon!! Any suggestion Please....breathing exercises something to get me out of trouble.    — [Anonymous] (posted on November 5, 2001)

November 4, 2001
Hi! I'm sorry I dont really have a good answer for your question but I would like to offer you some support in quiting. Yesterday marked me 2 weeks smoke free :) I'm 20 years old and have smoked regularly since I was 13....yeah I know young...but anyways I couldnt seem to stop smoking either and I tried everything under the sun, until I started to get really serious about this surgery and talked to my dr. he gave me a script for Zyban and it has been wonderful (outside of the constipation and slight nasusa(sp) But none the less it is doing the trick in fact I'm no longer taking the Zyban and I still have no urge to smoke. And I was smoking atleast a pack a day before. Anyways to make a long story short, if you want some quit smoking support feel free to e-mail me :) Oh, and I know that hard cadies really helped me get through some of those first couple of days. Also Im not sure what your Doctor recommends but mine will not due the surgery on anyone that smokes, I have to be smoke free for atleast 8 week prior, now every surgeon is different keep that in mind. I know I have heard of a lot of ppl not quiting and being fine. Maybe you should talk to you doctor about it if you feel it could put your health in more danger. Even if hubbies insurence is going to be changing its not worth the risk. Take Care, and GOOD LUCK! ((HUGS)) And remember if you wanna talk you can feel free to e-mail me :) [email protected]
   — blank first name B.

November 4, 2001
Ya know I don't ever post but honey you need to not try and decieve anyone. You have to tell the people that are working on you the truth otherwise you can have serious problems. I know quitting is hard, I did it three months before surgery with an anti-depressant. But regardless of how and when you quit your doctor needs to know. It would be stupid to lose you because you felt bad about it ya know?
   — [Anonymous]

November 4, 2001
Just tell the truth; so that they know what ehey are dealing with. Doctors, of all people, understand how difficult it is to beat the nicotine addiction. If they know what your true smoking history is, they can assess your needs. It certainly isn't going to rule out surgery....you don't have to worry about that.
   — [Anonymous]

November 4, 2001
I was a smoker prior to my LAP RNY. My chest x-ray and lab work all came back clear. I am two weeks post op and let me tell you I clearly remember waking up after surgery finding it SOOO hard to take a full breath. It is no joke that you have to work hard to avoid getting pnemonia while in the hospital. If you have smokers congestion or have a hard time taking full, deep breath now, it will only be worse. I just want you to imagine an elephant sitting on your chest for 48 hours straight. You will ask yourself, "why didn't I quit when I had the chance".
   — [Anonymous]

November 4, 2001
Well, I was supposed to quit and I didn't and I was scared like you. They didn't say anything about it, so I'm assuming they didn't find that I had been smoking. Before the surgery the last time I smoked was the night before. I had no breathing problems after surgery. I was in the hospital five days and of course did not smoke. But one of the first things I did whenI got home was smoke. I am now back to smoking a pack a day like I did before. I know this is bad. I wish I could have quit, but for me there seems to be no surgery-related complications having to do with my smoking.
   — Jennifer H.

November 5, 2001
Yes they will know from a blood test. Cotine a component of tobacco will show up clearly in your blood work. Takes weeks to get out of your system. Good luck I hope it doesnt delay your surgery.
   — bob-haller

November 5, 2001
Mn I know how HARD it is to stop smoking!!!! I was a smoker for 18 years and as of now I have been stopped for 8 months. I have asthma so breathing is easier now. I quit COLD TURKEY and lemme tell you I cryed, I cussed, I ranted and raved and literally went thru he**. Long story short, I am still smoke free and having surgery in less than a month. Doctors understand but PLEASE let them know that you are still smoking as you CAN have complications that they can be aware of if they know that you are a smoker....Please just let them know so that they can be prepared........
   — Melody F.

November 5, 2001
2.5 months smoke free. 7 weeks post op. Quit now and don't start up again. Get the patches, chew the gum (any gum) etc. Take deep breaths, cough alot, excercise...these should help with lung capacity and help strengthen your lungs too. Do your tests. If they ask you if you are a smoker, tell them that you recently quit. I quit 2.5 weeks before surgery and I didn't have a problem. But, I also smoked through all my pre op tests :0( YOu need to be honest about your current health=no matter what! Smoking (although it doesn't seem HUGE) it can/does play a very big role in surgery in terms of anesthesia, recovery, wether or not your in ICU. So, quit now, and do what's right. As for how? I don't know. I quit cold turkey==but let's be honest. I've smoked 2 cigarettes since surgery. ;0[
   — Kristin R.