Smoking

Did anyone get tested for nicotine day of surgery? After my pre op testing my nerves took over and I smoked a few cigarettes. My surgery is in 5 days and I'm getting scared.

Personal to each surgeon or at least hospital policy. You could call and ask.

Call your surgeon's office and ask; it's ultimately their decision whether or not they will proceed with surgery.

Please be aware that disregarding surgeon's instructions after surgery (with regards for food) could be fatal in the first few weeks. If "nerves take over" and you eat something you shouldn't, you could tip your staple line open and die.

I couldn't qualify for surgery if I was a smoker. If I was I had to go through a lengthy process. Thankfully, this did not pertain to me.

It may be okay if it?s still some time before your surgery. But it is something they need to know about. I?m not trying to prod you, but do you feel like you?re ready for surgery? It?s okay if you are not. It took me a while to be ready. And there are times I thought I was ready, but my behavior said otherwise. Impulse control is vital to this process. I struggle with it 4 months out (and maybe forever). We all fall down. But if one is doing things that could make the surgery be canceled last minute, it might be time to stop and take some time to think through all the ?why?s?.

Talk to your surgeon. There is a good reason they don't want you to smoke - it has a very detrimental effect on healing.

I was tested for both nicotine and pregnancy the morning of my surgery.

The woman who was supposed to be first surgery of the day, was sent home for failing her test. I ended up taking her slot.

My surgery was at the Cleveland Clinic.

Every surgery center has different protocols.

My surgeon changed his protocol when he had a patient that was not healing well and discovered she had been smoking. He used to just take the patients word on whether or not they smoked. Now he does the nicotine test. Be honest with your doctor about this. Its for your own good. ds