I may have really blown it...

I guess they feel that 3 months out means less chance of starting again.  I've had a few surgeries and have never been told to stop smoking.  Once though, I did have a complication.  I wasn't breathing in recovery.  Not good, and very scary - and I have no sleep apnea that I know of. 

I switched to e-cigs 7 months ago.  I can't recommend them to anyone pre surgery though - because it's also the nicotene that they don't want you to have before surgery.  Nicotene combined with all the other chemicals in cigarettes makes it much more addicting.   For me, the e-cigs were a transition and it worked.
Nowdays I don't even crave nicotene - it's the whole oral fixation, inhaling exhaling thing, and I'm fine doing the e-cigs with ZERO nicotene. 

If it makes youy feel better I'm an occasional cigar smoker. Every few months I'll have a cigar with friends. I admited my cigar smoking to all dr's and the psych. and told them the last time i had one was in October.

 I had a surgery for a fibroid years ago.  I was a smoker and had to have oxygen the night after the surgery because I couldn't breathe.  I know it sucks but there is a reason for it.  

I'lm keeping my fingers crossed that everything goes well for you!