Quitting smoking before surgery?

Hi there! I had to quit smoking to have my surgery. It was not easy but it was totally worth it. My doc didn't give me a time limit. He just did nicotine testing. I work in a lab and can tell you that the nicotine can stay in your body for a while! The longer you've been smoking, the longer it will stay in your system. Also, if you are taking a nicotine test you must also not hang out with someone who is smoking. The second hand smoke has nicotine in it as well and can show up in your blood. Personally, I decided to go on this huge health kick when I decided to have the surgery. I got myself all pumped up about it and it made my liquid diet and quitting smoking alot easier. I wouldn't suggest doing both at the same time. I did, and almost lost my mind. Although, if I could keep a health kick for very long, I wouldn't have needed the surgery! It really helps to have an accountability buddy (someone that lives close by) that will put his/her foot down everytime you wanna cig. Quitting cold turkey is the best, but the hardest. I wish you all the luck. Alot of us have done it. You can too!! Think about how wonderful it is that you are making all these steps to a healthier you!

I agree! You gotta do what you gotta do. If I had to guess.. it might be easier to quit the gum than straight up cigarettes. Then the gum weens you off the best cig moments. (and example of my favorites are: traffic jams, alone time on the porch, anytime when beer was involved) To me that was the part I missed the most. So it would make since to quit that part first and then just slowly leave the whole nicotine world behind. Your headed in the right direction. It's super hard. I hope you reach your goals! Best of luck to you. :)