SD__Mini 9 Posted May 20, 2013 So I'm not a smoker but over the past couple months I have gotten into the "e-cig" thing. Does anyone know or has anyone heard if this would be bad pre-op? Is smoking forbidden pre-op? I know it's just vapor and nicotine but I of course want to make sure I'm not doing anything that could cause complications. My DOS is May 30th so coming up! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lsereno 2,525 Posted May 20, 2013 I have seen some people here that had the surgery while smoking, but my program (Kaiser Fremont) will not perform the surgery if you smoke. I'm sure this also covers e-cigs. I believe Kaiser tests for nicotine in the blood. I'd check with your program coordinator. Lynda Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MystiGal 143 Posted May 20, 2013 I am a former smoker. I quit in January (after smoking for 17 years) by switching over to an e-cigarette. My surgeon told me I had to quit at least 6 weeks prior to surgery or it would be cancelled. I put it down for good on February 20th. I urge you to do the same! Good luck! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Veruca Salt 31 Posted May 20, 2013 I can only speak for myself>they told me the same thing you heard. If I did not quit the surgery would be cancelled. I smoken right up to the hospital and as soon as I got out. I depends on your insurance company. They had never asked me for the test again. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Macy6 356 Posted May 20, 2013 My surgeon does a test and if you do smoke you are required to go through smoking cessation classes before they will perform surgery. "Nicotine is a vasoconstrictor that reduces nutritional blood flow to the skin, resulting in tissue ischemia and impaired healing of injured tissue" < Direct quote from a medical research journal. It isn't the "smoking" part that matters, it is the nicotine and other toxins found in smoking. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lizv123 389 Posted May 20, 2013 Most surgeons do a nicotine test Pre op, or at least threaten it, and there is nicotine in the e-cigs. The smoke itself is dangerous for the sleeve, but nicotine hinders all healing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ShrinkingBiker 121 Posted May 20, 2013 Every doc is different. I'm a smoker, and he knew that going in.. I told him I probably wouldn't quit and while he advised I do and gave me reasons why it can cause complications with the surgery, he didn't make a big deal about it.. If you aren't a smoker and just started, STOP.. Nicotine is very hard to kick and it's sooo not worth getting hooked. With that said, find out from your doctor.. but chances are he's going to say the same thing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LipstickLady 25,682 Posted May 20, 2013 Just curious, but if you aren't a smoker, why did you choose to start an e-cig? 1 sumtimindiva reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sharonintx 1,275 Posted May 20, 2013 I didn't quit before or after surgery. I wasn't asked to quit and I had no threats of a test before the Dr would do the sleeve. Some doctors do and some don't. Be sure and check with yours before making your decision. I healed wonderfully post op and I had no complications. This is just my experience. I am not encouraging anyone to smoke and I don't require any advice or remarks about the choices I make. I am just answering the question. Thank you and have a wonderful day. 3 breederb, LipstickLady and MystiGal reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JProx 161 Posted May 20, 2013 Nicotine can not be in your system pre-op it does something with your blood I forget what the doc said ,but it is not good. 1 lizv123 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Caaattt 37 Posted May 20, 2013 So I'm not a smoker but over the past couple months I have gotten into the "e-cig" thing. Does anyone know or has anyone heard if this would be bad pre-op? Is smoking forbidden pre-op? I know it's just vapor and nicotine but I of course want to make sure I'm not doing anything that could cause complications. My DOS is May 30th so coming up! My doctor tests for nicotine !! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonRodolfo 1,416 Posted May 20, 2013 I don't require any advice or remarks about the choices I make. Are you sure? Because if we're nothing else, we're opinionated. 3 LipstickLady, MystiGal and lizv123 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kjing9419 5 Posted May 20, 2013 I have been on an e cigarette for about 1 year... It was the worst fear I had. I had to be nicotine free no matter what form... I couldnt put my cigarette down I was scared to death it would interfere with my surgery... Im not even gonna lie.. I smoked the e cigarette and inhaled rarely for 3 days passed the test continued it but 21 days post op and havent cared nor wanted to even think about smoking again.. My advice is just put it down now Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kjing9419 5 Posted May 20, 2013 There is also something else begins with a c which is a more sensitive nicotine blood test... My surgeons check for both.. With in 6 weeks and ask that you sign a paper that says you will never smoke again.. They say the nicotine and other chemicals can hard years post op as well as every day smoking health risks.. The idea behind the signed paper is to protect themselves insurance wise Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SD__Mini 9 Posted May 20, 2013 Thank you all for that information!! I am 1 week away from my surgery and my doctor hasn't asked me about smoking nor has he tested me for it. With that said ill just stop to prevent any potential complications... Gosh I hope this doesn't effect my surgery date!!!!!!! Re: Lipstick lady Lol I started smoking because they took away my wine haha:) been going through a lot personally and found the e-cig relaxing and also helped seriously as an appetite suppressant. With that said though, I haven't been smoking for more than 2-3 weeks so I'll just stop until after the healing and go from there! 1 LipstickLady reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites