Question:
25 days before surgery; will it make a difference to stop smoking now?

i've read all of the questions and responses regarding smoking before going into surgery. if i stop smoking today, will it make a difference or have i waited too long? please post your responses - i need to see what everyone's experience and suggestions are. thanks.    — Trofie 9. (posted on December 29, 2001)

December 29, 2001
Quit now! You won't be able to smoke in the hospital and you don't need the added stress of nicotine withdrawal during your recovery. Good Luck.
   — [Anonymous]

December 29, 2001
Absolutely it will make a difference. Within HOURS of smoking your last cigarette your lungs start to repair themselves. Twenty-five days is a good chunk of time to get a lot of the gunk out of your lungs that you'll be coughing up. I'm pre-op, but quit smoking four years ago. I'm so glad I did now, and wish I never smoked at all. What a difference it will make in your entire life. Just make sure you tell the anesthesiologist about your smoking history as it makes a difference in how he administers the anesthesia. You can do it! I smoked for 25 years, and I did. Hugs, Joy
   — [Deactivated Member]

September 12, 2002
Just had my final pre-op with surgeon yesterday (9/11/02). I asked him about smoking and he told me that if I quit 6 mos or so before, that was great! If it is less than a few months, he said I should wait till after the surgery, because I would end up coughing more! Hope this helps......It confused me at first, but when I talked to some people who quit smoking, they said you do cough quite a bit for a short while after smoking. The cough is usually productive, so it would put a strain on your surgical site.
   — Kristen T.

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