Calling all smokers...

I haven't seen this addressed anywhere on the site before...

I'm a smoker - heavier since diagnosis! - and need major hints for dealing with that during my three days in the hospital!

Any hints?

My Dr. wants me to 'cut back' before surgery - easier said than done. Those of us who smoke know that 'cutting back' during stressful times is the philosophy of a non-smoker!

Are you just too drugged out/sleepy/in pain post-op to care? Or do you lie around wanting one? I smoke enough (1 1/2 pks/day) that I don't want to add nicotine withdrawl to my other problems during castle stay. My friend sugested taking some Nicorette with me and ask if they'd let me use it...I know I will need to ask my Dr....But am looking for hints from you who've done it!

P.S. To you non-smokers...no lectures, please. We know it's a filthy, disgusting habit and we should quit...this just isn't the time.

Hints, please!

Thanks,
Jordan L.

I didn't care that I couldn't smoke after surgery. I don't know if it's the drugs or just feeling to crummy. My dr. offered me a patch just in case but I didn't need it. Sad thing is I went 4 days without a smoke and 5 hrs later at home I lit back up.
Good luck!!!
Michelle

Hi Jordan,
I just joined and this is my first post. I just returned from having a smoke outside. I recently relapsed into smoking (after having quit for a year and half) during this whole wind-up leading to diagnosis. I want to quit again before my hysterectomy--if I decide to go that route. When I did quit before, Wellbutrin was amazingly helpful. But I won't tell you to just quit right before a major, emotionally difficult surgery. Experiment with the idea but don't beat yourself up if that's too much a hurdle all at once--you can deal with smoking after your recovery. In the meantime, patches might be a good idea. Can you call your surgeon and discuss it? But also, you probably won't care all that much when in the hospital, what with pain meds and all. Best of luck, Rocket

I too am a smoker, I got out of surgery at 10:30 and at 2:00 got up and walked outside w/ my DH and had a half a smoke. (all I could handle) and started walking back in, and got soooo sick. I started puking in the garbage in the hall. After that I didnt care to have one till the next day. I was going to have my dad bring me a patch if it got to bad. Thr patch works really well. I quit last year using the patch. Didnt last as you can see, but it truely makes the craving go away! So if all else fails I would keep a patch on hand for day two and three!

Stacey
LVH 03/29/05

Hi,

I had the same worries about smoking that you did before I went in. I thought I would go insane not being able to smoke after surgery. It turned out that even though I'm a heavy smoker it didn't bother me. I didn't even think about having a cigarette until I was feeling well enough to get up and around on my own. I also found that even after I got home I hardly smoked at all. So I wish you luck and hopefully it will be the same for you.

Hi,
I am also a smoker and have been a little concerned about the stay in the hospital without it. I am hoping that it won't bother me for a few days, but I am planning to take patches with me just in case.
I quit last year on the patch, but as you can see it didn't last. As dumb as it sounds.....I just enjoy smoking but wish that I didn't. The patch will control the craving, but for me it took a few hours before it kicked in.
My DH would like for us to quit together when I have my surgery, but I told him that I was not going to be cooped up in the house with nothing to do during my recovery and not smoke!
Good luck to you.
Cheryl

I too am a smoker.....

But I am planning on quitting before my surgery which will be sometime in August or September. Insurance preapproval needed and have an 8 week wait. So why not good timing.

Anyone of you want to join the quitting club... I set my date for a smoke free rest of my life beginning on the 21st....

Yes I know it is a week way... but I have a stressful week next week with my mother having knee replacement surgery and travel time to take my dad to visit her is 4 hours ... 2 each direction......So I thought after the stress of that is over .....


Ces.

Jordan- my dh and I were talking about that earlier, so it is funny you mentioned it! I haven't come up with a plan yet either, but I think I won't notice it too much at the castle, it's when I get home that worries me not much to keep hands busy. (Except eating and I really don't need that!! Good Luck!!
Tammy~

You know, I smoke between a pack and a pack and a half a day, I didn't even consider smoking and didn't miss it for the day I was in. I didn't miss it the first two days I was home either (maybe smoked 8-10 cigs in the two days). Now, I'm back to smoking my regular amount.

I am an ex-smoker (2 months) and just thought I would let you know what happened following my surgery. After surgery they had a hard time waking me up so they were being very careful about pain meds. As they monitored me my oxygen sats (amount of oxygen in my blood) continued to fall. I needed to be put back on oxygen for the rest of the evening in order to increase my sats. DR says it was due to smoking even though I haven't smoked in a while. Also he was not happy about the rate in which my lungs were clearing. He lectured me about smoking and I wanted to hit him---I have been very proud of myself for not smoking for 2 months. Anyway I would never lecture anyone on their choice to smoke or not to (I still want one often). I just wanted to let you know some of the problems that may arise whether to smoke while in the hospital or not.