TAH: Smoking

Hello

I was wondering if anyone here smokes, And did any one have any complactions with surgery do to it?.. Im a little more nervous do to me being a smoker.

Lilbit- I am a smoker, hate to admit but a heavy smoker. And the closer it got to surgery, the more I smoked.

I had no problems whatsover. They were concerned about it and the fact that I have sleep apnea, am quite heavy and diabetic too.

I have always practiced deep, cleansing breaths, something I learned in meditation years ago and I think that helps keeps the lungs clear. In the hospital, the resp therapist gave me a contraption for what they called "incentive breathing" where I had to suck in this tube and make a ball rise to the top. I had to do it 10 times in a row, several times a day and it made me feel good and strengthened my lungs.

Not trying to imply here that smoking is "OK" but just wanted you to know that it doesn't have to negatively affect your experience.

Now, as a side note, I was in the hospital for 5 days. I didn't even want to smoke until day 4 when I was feeling somewhat normal. So, no problems with withdrawls at that time. But, when it hit me, it hit me. I begged the nurse to let me go downstairs and smoke on day 4. She teased me about it but let me go. Talk about fun! I walked a long, long way, then my hubby put me in a wheelchair and wheeled me across the street (can't smoke on hospital grounds) and I was in my bright orange nightgown, black slippers, dark shades and crazy hair! I must have been a sight to passersby! I have to laugh.

Don't worry about it too much, just be sure the OR staff knows you smoke. Good luck to you!

TY so much that reassuring means alot.. I would like to quit but im getting so nervous and scared of the surgery im smoking almost to much... it calms me a bit... I want to thank you all have been great support to me..

I too am a smoker...smoked 3 pack the night before my surgery...didn't have any problems. Good Luck!!!!

Make sure you mention to the doctor that morning to prescribe a patch for you!!! I got that tip from another lady here and it was great. I didn't have to worry about withdrawal at all.

I, too, smoked like a chimney the night before. Dr said no smoking after midnight the night before my surgery... I cheated and smoked only one first thing in the morning when I got up on the 1st.

They made me do breathing exercises also. I really hate that little ball... I had a cough in the hospital because of my smoking but my squishy bear helped me get through those. (I had TAH)

(squishy bear - microbeaded stuffed bear that I used to support my belly when I coughed. Respiratory therapist came in and showed me the right way to cough holding the bear against my belly and she named it too!! Mr. Squishy)

I'm a smoker also, tried to cut down before but the closer surgery got the more I smoked. Had no problems.

I also smoke and had a TAH on 08/07/09. Had no issues what so ever. My doctor actually told me not to quit before surgery. She said by doing so would cause my lungs get congested and make things worse.

Good luck!!

ty for all the replies. i really cant thank everyone enough...i now have 5 days and surgery will be here, ( im a nervous wreck).....talking on here helps but just the though scares me...

Thank you so much for asking this question, and thank ALL of you for answering. I'm just a wreck about this and my surgery is not until mid-October.

Thanks for asking this question and thanks for all the answers. I too smoke and would like to quit while there. We will see.
Jenny