MARIJUANA QUESTION??? Pre-op

[MoniqueD 8]

Okay All,

I'm new here and have a scheduled surgery date of 10/14/09! I have a question???

Does Kaiser Permanente do a drug test/test for marijuana in the Pre-Op testing???

Will they deny me from my surgery if I test Positive???

What should I do???

[KartMan 58]

I doubt they drug test.

I would quit if I were you though. I don’t have a moral issue with Marijuana, but I don’t think it is at all good for you. A lot of people get the munchies when they get high, not a very good side effect for someone trying to lose weight. Just my 2 cents.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Whether you decide to quit or not...talk frankly with your surgeon before you get surgery. Because...if you smoke it and don't tell them, they will not be able to predict the condition of your lungs properly. Marijuana smoke is REALLY hard on the lungs and you don't want to have issues while you're out because the anesthesiologist doesn't know you indulge.

I'm betting the surgeon will want you to quit, not unlike they often want cigarettes smokers to quit, so that you have a better chance of recovery.

You are already "at risk" if you are obese; to add smoking (marijuana or tobacco) onto that makes your surgery substantially more dicey. So Tell your doc.

Once you're healed and post op, it will be your decision to "restart" or not (although Kartman makes a good point about the munchies, kind of counter to the band) but give yourself the best chance for a safe surgery and recovery.

[greytz 4]

It also sounds like you could be setting yourself up for transfer addiction of the worst kind. Restless and Kartman are both right in every aspect of what they say. It is just hard on you period and if you are not honest with your surgeon, it could lead to serious complications that you are not anticipating. It isn't about getting caught. It is about staying alive.

[MoniqueD 8]

I definately want to stay alive. Let me set the record straight! I am no where near addicted. I was an occasional user. I have not indulged since recieving my surgery date. The last time was 8/20. My surgery is on 10/14. That is approx 8 weeks. Hopefully it will be undetectable. What do you all think???

[RestlessMonkey 7]

I don't think they'll have a reason to check, say, your hair! :mad: So you should be ok; just don't use it. And seriously discuss it with your surgeon or his nurse before you use post op. You want to heal properly. All debate aside about whether it's "right" or not, you don't want to hurt yourself.

[Blazed 1]

Its probably a good idea to quit for awhile even if they dont test. I smoke occationaly but because i'm getting ready to start this journy I quit. I havnt smoked in over a month and a half. So just to be safe stop smoking for awhile and depending on how much you smoke tell your surgeon.

[horseygirl 0]

You need to tell your surgeon so that they can monitor you a little better. They will not cancel your surgery. I know this from experience. I also agree with everyone else about quiting.I have only indulged a couple of times after surgery and I will tell you honestly that is was not worth it. I coughed so hard that I reopened my incisions and then got an infection because the stitches would not dissolve. I now have a very large and raised scar. I already scar badly because I am VERY fair skinned but this one is very ugly. The pain and infection were not worth the experience! I know this sounds stupid but going for a really good walk in the morning has me feeling just as good and there are no munchie side effects! Good Luck.

[MoniqueD 8]

Thanks again for the replies! I am on an exercise, Water drinking... MISSION! I have approx 5 weeks before my scheduled surgery. Hopefully, it will be all out of my system. If not, I pray it is a trace amount. Maybe I can say I ate a laced Brownie unknowingly at a party??? LOL! Seriously, I am only an occasional user and do not think this is going to be a problem. I just can't help but think something is going to go wrong. I have been waiting for this since before getting pregnant with my 2nd child. Now, I am done having babies and consider this ME TIME! I need to get this weight under controll. I want to be here to enjoy these babies...and ALL LIFE HAS TO OFFER!

[kaitlynmarie93 0]

I honestly doubt they will do a drud test. But even if they do, marijuana only stays in your system for about a month so you should be fine.