Question:
has anyone ever smoked right up to there surgery date

i have taken wellbutrin,patches xanax and still can't quit. If you smoke till your surgery date did you have any complication sfrom it.    — Marla B. (posted on May 6, 2002)

May 5, 2002
Some people have smoked on the way to the OR and come out just fine, but I would do whatever it takes to give yourself at least one month smoke free before surgery...you can do it! Huggs and prayers...
   — rebeccamayhew

May 5, 2002
i slowed down my smoking however smoked up to the day of surgery. i did great. had the surgery and did not smoke for 3weeks and then the urge came on again and i returned to smoking which i regret..good luck
   — Candiss T.

May 5, 2002
If you've exahausted all attempts at quitting, I would highly suggest that you cut down seriously. As for me, I smoked until the nigt before. But before cutting down for surgery I wasn't a "heavy" smoker to begin with. I regularly only smoked about 7 or 8 lights a day. For the six weeks prior, I smoked only 4 or 5 ultra-lights a day. I went through surgery and recovery with out any problems. I am 11 1/2 weeks post op, down 59 pounds and just as proud to say a non-smoker since my surgery day!
   — PaulaM

May 6, 2002
I am not going to preach but do have a few things I would like to say. I smoked for 20 yrs (I am only 33) a pack a day. I stopped smoking Feb 6 this year because the surgery ment so much to me. I used the patch for 2 weeks. I knew I needed to stop b4 surgery not just for the surgery itself, but because smoking can cause serious ulsers in your new pouch. Something I dont want to deal with. During my preop tests the lady said in passing if you are a smoker just do NOT smoke 12 hours prior to surgery or they will cancel the surgery. Hope this helps.....BEST of LUCK to you!!!~
   — Sassy M.

May 6, 2002
I tried to quit but it was impossible. I switched to the weakest cigarette. I think that helped me. My last cigarette was the night before surgery and I had no complications after sugery. I am still smoke-free and my lungs breath so much better now. I also no longer cough! My perfumes smell better on me. Everything smells better and longer without cigarette smoke on them!! Please try to quit before your surgery if you can do it. Best of Luck to you!!
   — Laura G.

May 6, 2002
If you absolutely CANNOT quit and your doctor is still willing to do the surgery, even if you're still smoking, make sure both the doc and the anesthesiologist know that you are still smoking. You do not want any surprises because they did not know that your lungs may not be in top condition. And, yes, I DO know what it's like to quit. I smoked for 20 years and quit about 15 years ago. It was tough, but I have never regretted it.
   — garw

May 6, 2002
I smoked my last cigarette right before i was admitted to the hospital for surgery , I was a heavy smoker. 2-3 packs a day. My surgeon never even asked me if I smoked. i was in surgery for 9 hours and suffered no complications. I was lucky i know. I was alos over 400 pounds.
   — C. L.

May 6, 2002
It's funny that no one metioned the smoker's cough right sfter surgery. Your lungs begins to bring up all the crap that the cigarettes put there. Everytime you cough for the first few days, it feels like someone is stabbing you in the gut. And I had Lap. I tried my hardest to quit and still smoked up until walking in the hospital. Boy, do I regret it. Also my doctor told me that the complocation rate doubles with a smoker. If you can do, DO IT. Try your hardest. It's not worth it!
   — Jeannet

May 6, 2002
Another reason to quit before surgery...coughing post-op hurts and I'm talking extreme pain. I'm 2 weeks post-op (non-smoker) and even light coughing still hurts some...hard coughing feels like my abdomen is being ripped apart.
   — Melody S.

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