smoking after hysterectomy

I only smoked about half a pack a day prior to surgery and, now, just over 2 wks post-op, I've been smokin' like a train!! I don't know why It's very frustratin'..I had done so well wit cuttin' back and had intended to try to quit when I left the hospital but they wouldn't send patches home wit me. Good Luck to everyone tryin' to quit!

I used the patch for several weeks, I got mine at walmart.

I am a pack a day smoker & have been for 23 years. I plan on trying to quit after my surgery & could use any tips or ideas anyone is willing to share.

Hi Princess: I made a plan for myself prior. I weaned myself off of cigarettes as much as I could before surgery. I was down to 5 cigs a day. I didn't smoke 48 hours before surgery. I cleared out my house and car of anything to do with cigarettes. I didn't tell the whole world what I was doing. I drank lots of water especially if I was having withdrawl symptoms. I brushed my teeth a lot too. I avoided other smokers for a bit and yes, I did share with them what I was attempting to do, no promises. I wrote down my triggers and tried to find/plan other ways to counteract the temptation. I still have a desire but no where near as much as I did. The surgery really helped me quit along with doing everything that I just said. Quitting is hard. They say smoking is just as hard to quit as someone quitting heroin. It's has not been easy for me but I am thankful everyday that I don't have one. I always wanted to be a social smoker but I know that I can never ever be that. All the best to you. Elle

	Quote:
Originally Posted by Elle1966 I quit but am having a very hard time today. I smoked less than 5 cigs a day so the patch would be too much...I am trying so hard...my hubby smokes and he doesn't smoke in the house but he still comes around me after or announces that he is going....it's really hard...I don't want to fail... Elle

Hey,
There. So i have only been a 6 cigarette a day.smoker, and to be perfectly.honest i could'nt wait to have a smoke. the day before pre op the dr. pre op paper said not to smoke, i had some blood work to do the day before, the surgery was scheduled the next day. i was so stressed out. they told me that i could smoke if i wanted! Yay. i only took the day of my surgery off. my nerves were shot and since i got discharged the next day, i lit one up that nite! I have never had major surgery before, so all the aches and pains r new to me. can i ask u if u have any experienced anything i might need to know. oh, i had a t.v.h. both ovaries and cervix is intact, no incesions. thank goodness. but my tummy is swollen, i feel a constant ache on my right side,i am easily irtitated. and im crying at a drop of a hat! I just haf surgery,7-26-11. I have two young kids,a hubby who has been pretty supportive. But he has conveinetly checked out off and on these past two days. And im beyond frustrated!. Can u help? Thx
Connie

Hi Connie: One thing I have learned about this surgery for myself is that you must rest. The first 2 weeks are especially crucial for this. It still matters afterwards for the next 4 weeks but the first 2 weeks, you are tired, sore, uncomfortable, possibly constipated from the pain meds...it so important to baby yourself at this time. No housework, no carrying anything, pulling or pushing, bending, stretching...you have to rest. As someone said in this forum, this is the second to open heart surgery. That really opened my eyes when I read this. Are you able to get someone in to help you with the kids if your hubby is unavailable? Eating well is also important because you need to put good nutrients back into your body to help you heal. Whenever I experienced something, to be honest, I would come on this site and look it up and low and behold lots of ladies were experiencing the same thing. I would check with your doctor if you are concerned about the right side pain.

I have had soreness too especially if I overdo it. Walking was a chore in the beginning and my stomach was swollen. It still is actually. The swelly belly lasts a while. There is lots of info on it here and this also helped me. As far as quitting smoking...I do wish you the best. It isn't easy. I quit several times before even though I didn't smoke a lot.

The emotional stuff, irritation was hormonal for me and again lots of ladies are going through it on here. Have you checked into the blog of surgery dates? You will find other people in there who have had surgery close to if not the same day as you. That's what I did and I met some really nice people. I am here if you need me. Elle

I'm about a pack a day smoker and actually lit one up on the way home after my laproscopy. I don't think I'll quit too soon; no doubt will put my smoke out going in for my hyster and depending how I feel will probably have one on the way home. :/

I'm planning on quitting but not for a while yet. I sadly admit I enjoy it, it's helping me SO much with the stress and I dunno. I feel guilty even writing all this but..... it's the only habit I have. I wouldnt know what else to do if I quit smoking. Which also sounds bad, I know.

I'm a terrible pre op sister I guess

I had my hysterectomy of August 2011. I still kept on smoking. I did finally quit smoking on January 1, 2012. I started using the electronic cigarette and that was the best thing that I ever did. I am out 11 months smoke-free. I wanted to say good luck on your hysterectomy. It's very hard to quit smoking unless you are ready but the electronic cigarettes really made it easy for me.

QUOTE=Illinois1973;3932616]I'm about a pack a day smoker and actually lit one up on the way home after my laproscopy. I don't think I'll quit too soon; no doubt will put my smoke out going in for my hyster and depending how I feel will probably have one on the way home. :/

I'm planning on quitting but not for a while yet. I sadly admit I enjoy it, it's helping me SO much with the stress and I dunno. I feel guilty even writing all this but..... it's the only habit I have. I wouldnt know what else to do if I quit smoking. Which also sounds bad, I know.

I'm a terrible pre op sister I guess [/quote]

	Quote:
Originally Posted by Illinois1973 I'm about a pack a day smoker and actually lit one up on the way home after my laproscopy. I don't think I'll quit too soon; no doubt will put my smoke out going in for my hyster and depending how I feel will probably have one on the way home. :/ I'm planning on quitting but not for a while yet. I sadly admit I enjoy it, it's helping me SO much with the stress and I dunno. I feel guilty even writing all this but..... it's the only habit I have. I wouldnt know what else to do if I quit smoking. Which also sounds bad, I know. I'm a terrible pre op sister I guess

This sounds like me. I really want to be an ex-smoker, but I don't want to quit. Make sense? LOL I have an e-cig and don't even want to try it. I'm scared of it.