A Question For Smokers

[Saint_Sammie 21]

My surgeon suggested that I quit but didn't demand it.

[Amytequilahouse 184]

My surgeon suggested that I quit but didn't demand it.

Wish he were my doc lol.

[BeautyVGSJourney 99]

I made a youtube video a few weeks ago about blood clots. One of the biggest risk factors for blood clots, is smoking, and you are in danger of a pulmonary embolism or other problems like it even months after the surgery. The best you can do for yourself is quit and don't look back (I heard of people who quit have surgery and then start again) those who do that are putting themselves at great risk of slowed healing and other issues such as embolisms that can kill them. Good luck in your journey!

[LadyIvy 159]

Did your surgeon tell you that you had to quit smoking or did he recommend that you quit?

I was told that I had to quit. I went ahead and quit as soon as I was approved. I haven't had a cigarette in 7 1/2 months. It seemed silly to me to go through a major surgery for my health and continue smoking.

[LadyIvy 159]

I quit 2 1/2 years ago after 20 years of smoking. Basically cold turkey. I did use a zero nicotine electronic cig for about 1 month. The 1st 2-3 days were a little rough, but manageable. Just a tip...caffeine and alcohol will trigger cig cravings, so avoid both for a couple of months if possible.

This is exactly how I did it too.

[LadyIvy 159]

I quit on Saturday lol it's been 4 days that I've been smoke free. I really want my surgery. It's freaking hard with stress piling up but I'm doing it. I wasn't a heavy smoker just a socializing smoker. I can't say I don't miss it. But I will say I want a longer healthier life and I love perfumes!! My addiction but how can someone smell your perfume when you smell like smoke lol. My surgery is June 4th. I hope my system will be cleared oh nicotine by then. Anyone know how long that takes?

It only takes 72 hours to clear out of your urine, but it could take a month to clear out of your blood. It depends on how long you smoked and how often.

[kmoore 97]

It only takes 72 hours to clear out of your urine, but it could take a month to clear out of your blood. It depends on how long you smoked and how often.

Actually, it all depends on what kind of smoker you are. If you are the 1 pack a day kind, 7 days a week, even urine can take close to a month to produce a clean nicotine drug screen. Blood just slightly longer than that, and hair follicle up to a year

A good surgeon will insist on you quitting before agreeing to performing surgery on you...I mean, why would a good surgeon cut you open KNOWING that you are still smoking and could have slower healing time, prone to more infections, and so on? Most surgeons require you to have quit for at least one month and I would imagine, if a drug screen is done, it would be urine. The other 2 are just too costly and most insurances are not going to cover those.

(Found the following doing Google search)

Urinal Drug Test

Inorder to find out the traces of nicotine in your body as well as to know how long does nicotine stay in urine, one needs to undergo a urinal drug test or urinalysis which is based on the immunoassay technology which detects the samples of such addictive products in urine. For those who smoke occasionally, nicotine persists in the body for only 3-4 days only. But for those who are passive smokers the traces of nicotine can be found for as long as 15-20 days.

In this test the urine of the person is collected in a specially designed sealed cup, which is tamper proof and sent to a drug testing laboratory. Then the urine is is splitted into aliquots and then screened under the immunoassay and the GC-MS process. Then the result is relayed to a Medical Review Office where it is carefully scrutinised by a medical expert. However, now there are several mechanisms to test the presence of drugs instantly with the help of urine drug testing kits.

Blood Test for Nicotine

The answer to the question as to how long does nicotine stay in your blood rests on the fact that it gets transformed into a metabolite called cotinine which mixes in the blood and affects the body. The liver slowly detoxifies the body by removing the toxins from the blood whereas the kidney flushes out the waste products out of the body in the form of urine and stool which takes place at a much faster pace. The blood tests can detect even the slightest traces of nicotine in the bloodstream.

Nicotine hair Test

Although this test is expensive and not often recommended for employees, yet it is used for accurate analysis of the traces of nicotine in the body due to its ability to trace the presence of potentially toxic elements. The hair follicle test can be conducted even after 30-90 days of smoking or may even last a year. In this kind of test normally the hair on the head is taken for analysis but in cases of baldness, the hair belonging to the face, arms, armpits, legs or any other body parts can act as a substitute. This is a specialized test usually used when all other forms of tests are unsatisfactory.

Picture 3 – Cigarette

Source - abc.net.au

How to Effectively clear the Nicotine from the Body

There are several suggestions as to how to get rid of such addictives of the body.

• The best way to clean the body of the nicotine is to drink atleast 8-10 glasses of Water per day as it facilitates the process of detoxification including the flushing out of the nicotine substances by the pacing up of the metabolic activities in the body.
  
• Secondly, fruits containing Vitamin C act as an efficient antioxidant which helps the body to get rid of toxins by metabolizing the drugs and flushing them out of the body.
  
• Thirdly, regular physical activities and rigorous exercise also helps the body to get rid of harmful products and helps to keep the body fit and healthy.
  

[Amytequilahouse 184]

I was a 1-3 cigarettes a day and not a seven days a week smoker. I k ow it doesn't make a difference it's still bad for you. But I didn't smoke much. Ive never finished a pack alone without sharing some.

[Tibbie 55]

I am/was a smoker. I haven't had a smoke since Tuesday - and don't really want one. I have my e-cig but right now not using that either. After 30 years of smoking a pack a day - I've decided to become a quitter . Why not - I've become a looser might as well be a quitter too! Lol

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[DinaMiller6450 20]

I have an e-cig myself. Is it the nicotine or the tar from the cigarettes that cause problems. My surgeon did not demand me to quit, but he did recommend it. I have been having a hard time quitting due to the roller coaster ride with my emotions lately. My surgery is Tuesday the 29th. I thought about getting Patches in the morning and throwing my cigarettes away. Will the nicotine patches cause my healing to be slow?

[Tibbie 55]

I don't believe the Patches will cause you heeling to slow. Many doctors give tem to their surgery patients while in the hospital. But trust me - smoking will be the last thing on your mind! I haven't had any cravings for it at all! And I would consider myself a very dedicated smoker! Lol

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[Nanny3Kids 8]

Dina, i am also may 29 here :-) and i am having a hard time with the whole quiting smoking, i also am going to try the patch in the am! I need to quit by surgery i can even think about not being able to smoke in the hospital after surgery and i don't want to not heal right or have something else go wrong do to smoking!

[Nanny3Kids 8]

Way to go Tibby :-) can you share some of your will power and strength? Lol

[Saint_Sammie 21]

Not that I'm saying y'all shouldn't quit, but smoking has had no effect on my healing. I have actually bounced back better than most from the surgery. I live in the most smoker friendly city in the US it seems. It hard to quit when it's every where.

[Nanny3Kids 8]

Saint, you aren't kidding, everyone i know smokes every where i go they smoke and if there is a way they find it!!! I want to quit, they are $ 10.00 a pack here that a car payment a month or new clothes lol