Finished Pre-Op w/ doc

just got home from my pre-op appt. everything she told me i pretty much expected. I am a smoker and asked if i should go on patch prior, she said no, thinks it will be to stressful for me, so suggested i just try to cut back the day before, say from a pack a day to maybe 6. so maybe i can do that, i should be working that day so the only time i really see a problem w/ it is that night, and of course that will be the most stressful night but i'll do my best.

hpreader, we go in the same day. If you think you need it ask the dr to give you something to help you sleep the night before. That should keep you away from the cigarettes. Good luck with your surgery.

HP, here's what worked for me. You're welcome to try it. I smoked 1/2 pack of menthol 120's every day. I took plastic drinking straws and cut them to the same length as my cigarettes. Then I cut a smaller piece the same length as a filter and stuffed it in one end of the longer piece to make a firmer "filter" end. A green magic marker or nail polish band marked the "filter" end.

Because the faux cigarettes felt and looked enough like my real ones, I had something to hold in my hand, hang from my lips, tap on a clean ashtray, and treat just like my smokes --except it never burned away. I could stuff it in my pocket and use it any time I needed. I made several to take to the hospital with me, just in case, and stored them right in one of my old cigarette boxes to complete the psychological effect. An old empty lighter provided the weight in the box I was used to without being a fire hazard.

Hugs and Good Luck,
Lena