Question:
Why can't I smoke?

Is there a problem that I smoke only 2 cigarettes a day? Some days I go without smoking at all. I know smoking is bad for you but sometimes I just want one. I have not had my surgery yet (November 27th) but what I want to know is am I not suppose to smoke at all afterwards? I know I can quit but I just haven't yet.    — sistabodean (posted on October 29, 2001)

October 28, 2001
I quit before surgery. About 3-4 weeks out, I just had to have one. It tasted gross! I know technically we shouldn't have it because some say it irritates the pouch and can cause ulcers. For your health, you should stop; but if you "won't" I don't see what 1 cigarette a day would do. By the way, a dear friend that quit smoking about a year ago (smoked about 1/2 a pack a day, while I smoked 2-3 packs a day) was just diagnosed with cancer of the esophagus. He has 6 months and is currently undergoing chemotherapy.
   — [Anonymous]

October 29, 2001
Hi Erica, I smoke now, post op. Not everyday, but like you two or three here and there. Before surgery, I smoked the same amount, but two weeks before surgery I made sure I did not smoke at all. The reason, it will help you out in the long run with the anesthesia. Have you ever seen a smoker come out of surgery when they wake up? It is ugly, Working in the health care field, I see it everday, and it is a horrible experience for the patient and the staff. Coughing, gagging, pain. Smoking irritates the lining of the throat, and with the air tubes and stomach drain they use, having an irritated throat is going to make it worse on you going and pullin it out. It just isn't something you want to add on top of everything your going through. Best of luck to you
   — [Anonymous]

November 9, 2001
During an informational seminar the surgeon said he would NOT operate on a smoker. He said that if he even smelled smoke on the patient, he would cancel surgery and refuse to operate. Now, at that time I was still dealing with the death of a parent that asked me to stop smoking. I decided I wanted this surgery so bad, and wanted to keep the promise I made to my Dad. The night before my 30th bday, one month later, I finished smoking my last cigarette. I still had half a pack and threw them away, along with my ashtray and lighter. The weird part is I had always wanted a monogramed zippo lighter and got one Christmas 2000! In the past 7 months I have had 4 cigarettes. The first one was to test myself, and it tasted so nasty I knew I had made the right decision. The other 3 were due to stress. I actually bought a pack, smoked 3, maybe 4 and gave them away. I am the world's worst reformed smoker. You can do it!
   — [Anonymous]