Is there someone here that smokes and got surgery done? I am planning on quitting from tomorrow to the day of my surgery but i am really scared!

My surgeon tested my blood and urine for nicotine before he scheduled surgery and again on the day of surgery. I was a heavy smoker for 5 years and was going to try to beat the system too but when I found out he would be testing me I quit cold turkey the next day. I wanted this surgery more than I wanted to smoke and I'm so so glad I did quit. I smell much better, have whiter teeth, and save a ton of money.

My Dr required me to quit. I quit the first of May cold turkey and had surgery July 15. Still smoke free. Everytime I wanted to smoke, I thought about my weight and health. It was a real motivator. I figured it was a small price to pay!! Good luck

Hello,

I quit a fews days before my surgery and i smoked a little bit 4 days after my surgery and i am still smoking. i know this is not good for my but i am actualy not ready yet to quit. I know one day i will quit. I am a fraid to have consequences at long term with my smoking.

The first seminar we went to my surgeon told all of us that if we smoked we wouldn't get the surgery. We were told that we would be tested even up to the day of our surgery. That was February...I quit the first week of March and with the help of Chantix I am officially a non-smoker for almost 7 months now!!! I made up my mind that I want this surgery more than I want to smoke and for the first time after MANY times of trying to quit I have succeeded. My surgery is in 2 days and I am ready for my nicotine test, I've already been tested twice since April and have passed them both! YAY! Good luck!

I asked my doctor if nicotine patch was ok and was told it was. I was told the test was for carboxyhemoglobin which test levels of CO in blood. Ive been researching ever since. Turns out blood level returns to normal within 48 hours after last smoke. What does this mean? Im going to have occasional cigarette until about 10 days before my test. I know that this is stupid. Im just not able.

I asked my doctor if nicotine patch was ok and was told it was. I was told the test was for carboxyhemoglobin which test levels of CO in blood. Ive been researching ever since. Turns out blood level returns to normal within 48 hours after last smoke. What does this mean? Im going to have occasional cigarette until about 10 days before my test. I know that this is stupid. Im just not able.

The only problem with the patch is they are hard to stay lit.

My surgeon tested my blood and urine for nicotine before he scheduled surgery and again on the day of surgery. I was a heavy smoker for 5 years and was going to try to beat the system too but when I found out he would be testing me I quit cold turkey the next day. I wanted this surgery more than I wanted to smoke and I'm so so glad I did quit. I smell much better, have whiter teeth, and save a ton of money.

how long were you smoke free before the test?

I believe that most programs Require you to be smoke free, and they do test. From what I read start to taper/quit as soon as you can. If you wait you will be dealing with withdrawal symptoms and you don't want that close to surgery

And my research suggests that you'll test positive for the 'smoke test' if you have any smokes within 30 days.

Other than "it's dumb to smoke" and the tendency for blood clots, what are the actual reasons why they make you stop smoking? Anyone know? Just curious.

Other than "it's dumb to smoke" and the tendency for blood clots, what are the actual reasons why they make you stop smoking? Anyone know? Just curious.

Besides being dumb? OK, try:

http://www.webmd.com/smoking-cessation/news/20101019/smoking-raises-surgery-risks

Other than "it's dumb to smoke" and the tendency for blood clots, what are the actual reasons why they make you stop smoking? Anyone know? Just curious.

Takes longer to heal, decreased oxygenation for increased respiratory risk from surgery including pneumonia, increased risk of ulcers and GI bleed.

Takes longer to heal, decreased oxygenation for increased respiratory risk from surgery including pneumonia, increased risk of ulcers and GI bleed.

Thank you. I'm not a smoker personally. But someone I know considering this surgery is. Was just wondering what the specifics are.

Thank you!

I'm a respiratory therapist and the test will totally be able to tell them if you've been smoking. Sorry.

You are changing your lifestyle with the surgery. If like most of us, we want to become healthy. I may get bashed for saying this, but it looks like you are trying to beat the test regarding smoking. I gave up smoking in March when I had to be hospitalized for COPD. I live with it everyday. I never thought that would happen to me, well it did. Smoking will effect your healing. I hope you are able to put the cigarettes down. It may save your life.