Question:
Smoking and Surgery

I have been a smoker for 18 years, and I was wondering what complications there are to smoking and going into the surgery? I have three packs of cigs left and after that I am going on the patch, to better my chances of not having any complications. I am still considering this surgery, but I want to get all the info that I can on this. To the people that smoked before surgery, were there any complications or did you have a harder time, because you smoked? I would appreciate any and all responses to this. Thanks so much!    — allison F. (posted on August 6, 1999)

August 6, 1999
I would advise to be straight with your doctor if you didn't quiet smoking before the surgery. Doing a lil research in the internet this is what I found in less than 5 minutes of looking. *Smoking causes higher risk with anesthesia & post surgical complications *Smoking increases the risk of pneumonia afterwards
   — [Anonymous]

August 6, 1999
Allison... I have been a long time smoker as well and had my surgery 2 weeks ago. My doc advised me that I should not smoke the day before. I complied and didnt have any problems. I should have quit, but like a dummy, I didnt. I didnt smoke for 5 days post op. Really didnt feel like it. Like I said, I should have quit. Kris
   — Kris S.

August 6, 1999
Allison, I tryed to quit before surgery and actually cut down alot. I too smoked for 20 years and about 2 packs a day. I cut down to about 10 cigarettes a day and decided that after the surgery i would never smoke again. I have been smoke free for 2 months now. I had NO complications during or from the surgery and I was actually told that it's not good to quit within 3 weeks of surgery. Better to just cut down some. If you have a month or more before surgery, then I would quit before it because I was very nervous that I would suffer some ills during surgery because of the smoking. It will put your mind at ease alot more if you can quit first.
   — BARBARA R.

August 6, 1999
Hi Allison, If you can quit, by all means quit before your surgery, along with what everyone else has said, it would be a lot easier on you after surgery trying to cough all that stuff out of your lungs. Coughing equals major pain. You can't avoid not coughing, one of those you have to do things after surgery, but you wouldn't have as much in your lungs to cough up if you quit now. I was and am a smoker, for thirty-three years. Three to four packs a day before surgery. I tried like crazy to quit before surgery,but just couldn't do it. My last smoke was right before I walked into the hospital. To sit and tell you nothing happen because I smoked is true, except for the excessive coughing which was not fun. But in truth, each person, each body is different, and it is too much like playing russian rollette.. Do yourself a favor and quit if you can. It will be easier on you, and you heal quicker as a non smoker than a smoker. I am not at all trying to slam you for smoking, just trying to be honest. Recovering from this surgery is hard if you can, don't make it harder on you. I would have done anything if I could have. Good luck. Hugs, Edie [email protected] Open RNY Starting weight 369lb, BMI 67 Surgery Date: July 27, 1999 Dr. Baker/Little Rock, Arkansas
   — Edie L.

August 6, 1999
Hi Allison. As a nurse I can tell you that anyone who smokes does have an increased risk with surgery. Smoking damages the lungs so after surgery a smoker is more likely to have a breathing problem(mild to severe). Smoking constricks(makes smaller) yor blood vessels so a smoker is also at increased risk for stroke, blood clots after surgery. The sooner you stop smoking before surgery the better. Best of luck to you.
   — Penny W.

August 6, 1999
I too am a smoker. As a nurse I should know better. Anesthesia on a smokers lungs is not a good combo. My Doctor will not perform surgery unless I am smoke free for 3 weeks prior. The annesthesiologist will ask me on day of surgery when was last cigarette and there have been cases of people who have had their surgeries cancelled because of this. Of course each doctor has different protocols. You should discuss this with your doctor and do what he/she tells you.
   — Lisa O.

August 8, 1999
Nausea. /We're all prone to nausea with the tiny outlet, but soking can make that outlet more rigid. Since it needs to flex, much like your lips when you are making a kissy face, smoking can make it rigid and uncooperative. Nausea. Vomiting. Stuff sitting in the ouch and not passing through. Yuck.
   — vitalady