Smoking and Surgery,,Help

Hello All, I have my surgery slated for April 12th and am looking so forward to being on the Loser's side. However, I am still smoking..albeit lightly...maybe 2 cigs per day. I am just having a really hard time giving them up. A little info..my beloved Mom passed away January 31st.. and I am having a really hard time with dealing with that emotionally...not sure why but I just can't seem to get away from smoking. Does anyone know if surgery can move forward if I am still smoking or what has been your experiences with this? I appreciate any and all feedback even if it is just to kick my ass@@ lol. Thanks All, Kim

How was your pulmonary function test ? If it was good its not to late to stop before surgery...I know how hard it is, consider your ass kicked... lol

I had this big long post typed out explaining why you should quit smoking and all the benefits for you but I am sure you realize what those cigarettes are doing to you. I am sorry about your mom that does have to be one of the most difficult things a person can face. Personally I think that if you can't commit yourself to not smoking before surgery then maybe you should hold off until you are absolutey certain you can. I am not trying to come across as perfect because that I am not. I just know the emotional struggles a person goes through post-op just because of the surgery and to add the death of a loved one into that even the most prepared person could give in to temptations. Just think about it this way if you wait until you're certain you can get past this step(quitting smoking) as difficult as it is you can proceed knowing you ARE strong enough to get past the next emotional time without using smoking or food as an emotional crutch. I have also heard that you shouldn't make any major decisions in your life for awhile after a tragic event occurs in your life. I hope this helps you. Holly W

hello Holly, Thank you for being so candid. Your post makes a lot of sense actually. I have given some thought to how my Mom's death is affecting me...actually I am still so raw with emotion and to be truthful I have thought about postponing my surgery until I have my emotions more under control. Yesterday, for example, I saw a robin outside my kitchen window and I lost it...crying...my Mom always called everyone to announce the first robin that she saw to let us all know spring was indeed coming. Little things like that which seem to happen on a daily basis. I think what I am going to do is call Barix this morning and have a good talk with them and get some feedback as to what they think would be the best solution. Again, thank you for your forthrightness..it is appreciated far more than I can say. Kim

I quit using a new RX. It is called chantix.. I quit in 2 weeks...But with you only smoking 2 a day then I am not sure if maybe something else would work better for you....Well you keep up the great job and I am so sorry about your mother. I lost my dad 11 years ago and it is very hard. I do not think that you should postpone surgery. I know even to this day I long for my dad. It is hard I know. ONE question for you... What would your mother want for you? I know that makes you get upset.. It is ok and what you are feeling is normal. But you are normal.. I was folding clothes and started to cry for no reason.. It is a way that we vent our emotions...

Hi Crystal, Thank you for your support..My Mom would be saying go ahead and do it!! lol I spoke with Barix this morning and told them that I am still smoking a few cigarettes a day..I asked if my surgery would be cancelled and she said NO..although the Doctor will give me a stern lecture and that I should try and cut out the last couple that I am having before surgery. So, I have given myself until Monday to get away from these last couple smokes. It is good to know that others cry just out of the blue too...makes me feel so not alone..and yes it is so difficult to lose one's parent(s)..Sorry for your loss as well Crystal. I honestly do not know what I would do without the support of people on OH and I am so grateful that I found this site. Thank you again, Kim

Yes I agree this group of people are just awesome.. With out them I would still be crying and nervous... It is not the same to have a family member tell you they understand.. They only can if they have walked in our shoes... It is nice to have a total stranger tell you it is ok. and as I say Talk you down off the roof... I hope that what I said helped. Do this for YOU.....I am behind you.....

Kim, Good luck with your surgery. And yes it's very tough to lose a parent. Tomorrow would be my Mother's 90th birthday. She lost her 20 year battle with breast cancer in 2004. I gained back almost 60 lbs the year that she died. And there isn't a day that goes by that I don't want to call her and talk to her. Especially now that I've lost this weight and can wear some of her clothes that we saved. I'm still waiting for the day that I can wear the kilt skirt that she brought back from Scotland. Jeanne

Hi Kim, Have you considered grief counseling? I was a wreck when my mom died. I even lost my job of 6 yrs because of it. I gained 60 pounds in 5 months and couldn't get my act together. I sought out grief counseling and things started to look up. I found out that it was normal to feel/act the way I was. When my husband and brother died I remembered what my counselor had said, their deaths were a little easier to get through because I knew what to expect as far as my emotions went. Best wishes on quitting smoking. God bless you, Annette