rgallardo 30 Posted January 1, 2016 My surgery is Feb 16th.... I've been waiting for this for a long time and now I'm starting to freak out...... I keep wondering if I'm gonna have complications, leaks, pneumonia.... I'm pretty healthy I have no comorbidities bmi is 46 but I do smoke.... Not a lot maybe 1 pack every 4days ionlysmoke at work.... I do plan on giving it up before surgery but I can't help but think it may cause me issues... Anyone have similar thoughts that either did or didn't have complications? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
2goldengirl 2,076 Posted January 2, 2016 People forget that not so very long ago, people used to smoke everywhere, including in hospitals. I took care of many, many smokers over the years. Many of them did just fine. Others didn't. However, smoking does have a significant negative effect on healing. I really encourage you to continue to work on quitting entirely before your surgery. Use Patches or pills or whatever you have to. Choosing surgery is a significant investment in your health. Quitting smoking will only help your success. Good luck! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Inner Surfer Girl 12,015 Posted January 2, 2016 Best of luck with quitting smoking. I know that my surgeon will not operate on anyone who hasn't quit smoking and is not committed to staying smoke free. It has got to be hard to quit but it will be worth it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
3283 8 Posted January 2, 2016 I'm going to be honest I smoked up to midnight before my op! I like you only smoke a few a day, however I would advise not going my route I had no complications and healed well but you will want to be at your best health wise so giving up will be beneficial in so many ways. Wish you all the best x Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kindle 8,667 Posted January 2, 2016 I stopped smoking cold turkey 3 months before surgery. Weaned off caffeine at 2 months prior. I didn't want to be going through nicotine and caffeine withdrawals at the same time I was on my preop diet. I started back drinking coffee about 6 months postop but never started back smoking. A good friend of mine smoked and HAD to stop. Her surgeon gave her a nicotine test prior to surgery. But she started back up immediately postop. It took FOREVER for her incisions to heal and her drains had to stay in 2 weeks. (Mine was in only 3 days). She subsequently had knee replacement surgery and they didn't make her stop smoking for that surgery. Ended up in the hospital for over three weeks with complications. These things may or may not have been related to smoking, but why take a chance. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rgallardo 30 Posted January 2, 2016 I definitely plan on staying smoke,free,after surgery I don't want issues with healing at all....... Thank u guys all so much!!!! And happy New year ... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
