Hey ya'll....I finally have my date scheduled for surgery on January 14th...only problem is I am having a very hard time giving up the cigs!! Help! I know they say they don't want any smoking six weeks before surgery...my question is, has anyone smoked close to their surgery date? And if so what are the risks? My mom told me of one patient she knew of who had a hard time waking up from anasthesia due to smoking...any insight anyone has would be helpful!!!!:help:

I know a couple of people around here that didn't quit smoking and they knew by blood test. Ended up having their surgery postponed for 6 months....

Hello, I too am having my surgery Jan 14th...and I too am a smoker. I know this is terrible...But I have been lying. I am a light smoker...Maybe about 10 cigs/week (unless booze is involved and then it's 10 in the one night!!!) I have told every doctor I've seen (cardiac, pulmonary, psych, and surgeon) that I've quit...I'm sticking with my story. I know smoking is not good for you...and I understand the increased risks....But Doctors love to tell people to quit smoking...no matter what the ailment..The cure is always quit smoking...fall down and break your arm...Doctor wants to know if you smoke...It's annoying and I'm sick of it!!! Anyway...For your own good health, I hope you are able to kick the habit...Best of luck.

My doctor did not make me quit smoking. He said he "recommends" that everyone quit smoking 2 weeks before surgery but he never questioned whether I did. He said that everyone knows smoking is bad for you but he was not my moral judge on that topic. I don't think I had any complications due to the smoking. The only thing would be that it does hurt to cough for a few days after surgery and smoker do tend to cough more.

Of course quitting smoking would be a positive in more way than one, but one the other hand it's hard to add the stress of quitting along with the other stressors you face. I think I'll focus on quitting the cigs once my band is where it needs to be and I'm not dealing with that issue on a daily basis.

Good luck with your surgery!

I am so scared. I went to one hospital to have a seminar and they said that they would give me a blood test and that you have to quit 3 months before the procedure. This hospital where I am having my surgery ( in 10 days, October the 6th ) they asked me at the pre op meeting - I said I quit 4 months a go and now it is only occasionally, I am afraid I get a call from the hospital any day saying that my surgery will be postponed.

They said nothing about the nicotine test before the surgery but hey... what if I chew nicotine gum???

I need to quit and I know it. I am sorry for myself. :biggrin:

I am stressed just thinking about having only 10 days before the surgery AND quitting.:crying:

i had to quit too, altho i knew i would be tested, hardest thing i have ever done, on the bright side i know if i can quite smoking i can b successful with the band. I would call ur dr office and let them know you have been "chewing the gum" on occasion. and quit smoking now!!!