Question:
I was told that this could be a good time to stop smoking because I will be in the
hospital for 3 to 5 days and I will not be able to smoke. I am wondering if any one else has tried it. — Dennis G. (posted on September 22, 2001)
September 22, 2001
Hey Dennis, its a good idea but you really need to think about who will be
taking care of you after surgery. I smoked until 2 days before surgery.
After I came out of the hospital I was picked up by my mom, and am still
staying w/ her. I am 8 days post op. I did well on not smoking until day
2 home. My mother father and live in brother all smoke and it was killing
me. So I started back up. Had I been in a smoke free enviroment I think I
might have made it.
— [Anonymous]
September 22, 2001
You will do better if you quit at least a month before the surgery. This
gives your lungs a chance to clear. My doctor won't even consider doing
surgery on a smoker.
— georgiacarol
September 22, 2001
I cant believe you doctor will do the surgery if you are still smoking.
Mine requires you to be stopped a month at least in advance. I have been
stopped for 6 months and my surgery is in Oct. I didnt stop for surgery but
because it was getting harder for me to breath.
— Melody F.
September 22, 2001
Dennis - I had a horrible time trying to quit smoking pre-op.
Unfortunately, I could NOT quit prior to surgery (I highly recommend that
you do though). However, I have NOT had a cigarette since the night before
and I am now 16 weeks post-op. YEAH ME!! The hard withdrawal period (That
first week) was covered by a morphine pump so I did not really experience
withdrawals. When I went to get dressed to leave the hospital, my clean
clothes smelled like smoke and made me nauseaus....I have had no major
cravings at all!! good luck
— [Anonymous]
April 7, 2002
I haven't had my first consult yet and when I tried to "up" my
consult date sooner, the lasy asked me if I still smoked and of course I
said "yes" but I have cut down considerably. She said that if I
did quit, she would have an opening this wednesday 4/10/02. So she told me
to call back when I have stopped all together. This is just for the consult
though. And this is at Newton Wellsley Hospital in MAss.She said that
"they will NOT perform surgery on people who smoke" So
nonetheless I was heartbroken. So I am Trying sooooooo hard to wean myself
off of them. good luck
— Tammie A.
April 8, 2002
Hey just tell the doctor you quit. How will he/she know?
— Meredith L.
April 8, 2002
Not to be preachy- BUT do not just tel youMD that you guit if you are still
smoking- the MD's here REQUIRE you to be smoke free for surgery for health
reasons- it is dangerous to be under anesthesia anyway- without
compromising yor health by smoking (and lying to the MD's about it) -
doesn't sound smart to me!!!! Give it up FOR YOU- recovery will be easier-
deep breathing will be easier-
— ~~Stacie~~
April 8, 2002
Meredith, Meredith, Meredith. Please reconsider your answer.We have had
members die from lying to their doctors.
— faybay
April 8, 2002
Doctors can order a blood test to check a patient's carboxy hemoglobim
level. If you smoke, your results will not be normal. It would majorly suck
to get to the hospital, readied for surgery, only to have ti cancelled
because of this. Stop WELL ahead of time. Look at it this way. The more you
smoke, the more you'll cough after general anesthesia. That means more
stress on your incision. Ouch! You end up paying the price not only with
dirty lungs and the risk of having your surgery cancelled, your surgeon
dropping you as his patient for lying, but in pain! Good Luck!
— NicoleG
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