Do any DS surgeons not require the patient to stop smoking beforehand?
(Obviously not for myself, as I've never smoked, but just curious.) I'm guessing maybe just someone outside of the US, who only accepts self-pay? Since the answer might be no, I will also ask, do any require fewer than 30-days free of tobacco before the DS surgery or scheduling of it?
This is an interesting question to me philosophically, perhaps related to the perennial idealism vs. pragmatism? Also, it reminds me of the "harm reduction" debate over things like needle exchange programs for IV drug abusers.
They don't do it to be cruel or judgmental necessarily, they do it because it is associated with poor healing and increased cardiovascular and pulmonary risks. Obese people are already at an increased risk in the OR, we don't need any additional risk factors tacked on.
A surgeon that doesn't urge a patient to quit smoking is putting themselves at risk for higher complication rates.
As for the answer to your question: No I don't know of a surgeon that does. Doesn't mean there isn't one. I think at the very least it would be a surgeon (and hospital's) responsibility to inform the patient of the increased risk they are at if they don't quit before surgery...
A surgeon that doesn't urge a patient to quit smoking is putting themselves at risk for higher complication rates.
As for the answer to your question: No I don't know of a surgeon that does. Doesn't mean there isn't one. I think at the very least it would be a surgeon (and hospital's) responsibility to inform the patient of the increased risk they are at if they don't quit before surgery...
If they don't require it they shouldn't be a surgeon. I was a 30 year smoker who tried MANY times to quit and sincerely thought it was impossible for me to do it.
I finally really quit in order to get my DS. I am two years smoke free now and I am thankful EVERY day that I was required to quit to get my surgery.
~Becky
I finally really quit in order to get my DS. I am two years smoke free now and I am thankful EVERY day that I was required to quit to get my surgery.
~Becky
On July 8, 2011 at 6:28 PM Pacific Time, beemerbeeper wrote:
If they don't require it they shouldn't be a surgeon. I was a 30 year smoker who tried MANY times to quit and sincerely thought it was impossible for me to do it.I finally really quit in order to get my DS. I am two years smoke free now and I am thankful EVERY day that I was required to quit to get my surgery.
~Becky