H0pful

Wow, I really didn't expect this much encouragement, but really appreciate it a great deal. I still have more research to do (as if that ever ends) but as I mentioned before I'm determined to make quitting permanent this time. Thanks again, and I'll keep you posted.

Thank very much for the input that both of you have provided me with. I too have used the patch years ago beginning with step one (the highest dosage at 21mg of nicotine) and quickly found myself even more addicted to cigarettes than I had been before. We are all different and have different body types, but this made me aware that the patch was not a good option for quitting. We typically ingest 1mg of nicotine per cigarette, and that dosage is lower when smoking lights or menthols. The reason that I chose the electric cigarette was because the highest dosage that the cartridges come in are 10mg, and they range in dosages from High, Medium, Low, to Zero nicotine, and if used properly over the correct period of time can be used for smoking cessation. Getting back however to the actual substance of Nicotine and its ability to constrict blood vessels, increase the heart rate, blood pressure, etc. it is more logical to remove the substance entirely from my veins before surgery. The difficulty for me has never been in the actual quitting of smoking. I can quit cold turkey in a matter of three days if I plan things out well. Four months later when the stubbing of my toe is enough stress to cause me to light up again; well that seems to be the problem. It’s not the quitting it’s the staying off completely. As far as smoking meds go , such as Wellbutrin, or Chantix, I was diagnosed Bipolar type I a little over 12 years ago and have been on medication ever since. The meds associated with quitting smoking pose a risk that could cause me to go into mania and possible rapid cycling, which believe me would be far worse that smoking. I know there is a solution to this equation, sometimes the best ones are simply harder to find. I just like to plan things out pretty far in advance. I’ve never been fond of surprises.

I've been reading the forums for a few days now, and I've seen plenty of mention re: quitting smoking prior to the surgery via cold turkey, the patch, etc. but I have yet to see any mention of doing so with the electronic cigarette which is what I had intended to use. It delivers nicotine in the form of liquid vapor to my lungs removing carcenagens and other damaging agents that a typical cigarette would. It also produces a lower dose of nicotine in my blood stream than your typical patch. What I need to know is whether or not this would produce acceptable preop results for a surgeon like Dr. Ortiz compared to quitting with the patch or other sessation devices. I don't intend to turn back once I've begun, and need to know I'm on the right track now.