Smoking before surgery...?

Question

I was told not to smoke 48 hrs. before my surgery by the nurses and my doctor, but my will power is just horrible! My surgery is this Friday, my last cigarette should've been last night, and I did so well when I woke up this morning, and went to work...I didn't have one all day! I thought I was doing well..wrong! I had one after dinner, and I know I'll have at least 1 more before I go to bed! I will try not to have any tomorrow, but I just need to know if i've ALREADY put myself in danger with the anesthetics and/or surgery? Does this mean I shouldn't go through with my surgery??? I'm sooo nervous!!!

Answer 1

Why would you have to not smoke before a surgery? That does not make sense. It is probably those stupid non-smokers coming up with bull **** statistics again.

Answer 2

Go ahead with the surgery. The medical profession is of the opinion that you will tolerate anaestesia and the subsequent recovery from it much better if you're a nonsmoker. They do, however, know full well that as a smoker, facing a scary situation like going under the knife, makes you nervous, and a smoker copes by smoking. So, you might take a little more to put you under, or it might take you a little longer to come around after, or maybe it'll make you heave, but, hey, don't sweat the small stuff. Have your surgery, and afterwards, promise yourself you'll quit!Good luck in any case.

Answer 3

You need to make sure you tell your physician this information before you go for your surgery so he or she can determine if it is safe to continue with the surgery. Do not with hold this information from your physician because you might put your health in jeopardy if you don't say something. I take it that if they told you not to smoke there must've been a good reason why. Good Luck on your pending surgery.

Answer 4

Even 48 hours before is risky. Smoking is HORRIBLE for someone that is having surgery. You need to talk to your doctor about this and come clean with it. Would you rather they find out now before the surgery....and they schedule it afew days later....or have them figure it out when you have complications. They told you that for a REASON. You should be nervous.

Answer 5

Have your doctor prescribe you Chantix, or at the very least, go by some nicotine gum. Smoking irritates your arteries, so give 'em a break! Surgery is always a shock to the system.

Answer 6

First off, they want you to stop smoking so that your lungs will be clearer for the surgery. Second, smoking causes major problems in the healing of incisions. You are at more risk the closer you smoke to surgery, but it should not interfere with anesthesia directly.

Answer 7

Inform the surgeon and secretary that you have smoked and he will tell you whether he has to postpone it or not.
Oh and to quit smoking don't think of it and use some therapeutic thing like nicotine or something.

Answer 8

Tell your Dr.,depending on what kind of surgery it might not be enough to cancel it. I know it's hard to stop smooking but that stuff can kill you.

Answer 9

cigarette smoking takes the oxygen out of our blood..just like my elderly uncle..he had to go on 24 oxygen after he came home..yes it is dangerous ..you could be putting yourself at major risk..Hey i am not trying to down you but looking out for your own benefit ..

Answer 10

well it depends on the kind of surgery. call your doctor and let him know you gave in. i dont think one should affect you but just to be sure.