Worried about being a smoker and surgery

**kitty** · 10-21-2011 10:38 PM

I have been a 1/2 pack a day smoker for over 20 years. I am trying to quit but it is hard. So please don't critisize me. But I am concerned that between allergies and smoking I cough in mornings a lot (after laying down to rest overnight). I am worried that I will hurt my new stomach.or mess something up. Anyone else who have dealt with this please let me know how it went. Any info will be helpful!

Thanks everyone!

**becca72** · 10-21-2011 10:53 PM

I do not know what you are going through, but I have seen friends and family struggle to quit smoking, so I just wish you a lot of luck with quitting and lots of support. You can do it!!

**kitty** · 10-22-2011 03:18 AM

Thanks Becca for being so sweet! Also way to go on your weight loss, you are doing great keep up the good work!

**headsntails** · 10-23-2011 10:42 AM

coughing won't mess up your new stomach.. i quit two weeks before surgery (thanks to E-cigs)! but, to answer to your question, coughing won't mess up your new tummy.

**madona** · 10-23-2011 11:22 AM

I am not worried about coughing and hurting my stomach. I am worried about being put down with anesthesia and not being able to breath. Ya know dying because my lungs are so damaged from smoking for 20yrs! That is what anyone considering surgery should be concerned about. Not trying to scare you, I am having surgery in 5 days, this coming Thursday and I am still smoking a pack a day! Being nervous about this surgery isnt helping, all i wanna do is smoke

Hopefully I will cut down starting tomorrow and start swimming to strengthen my lungs and start my liquid pre-op diet too! If u cant quit then just cut down as much as u can. The more the better

Good Luck, god knows will-power is one of our strengths....

**kitty** · 10-23-2011 12:04 PM

Hey Madona, keep me posted how things go! I just bought a disposable e cig and it helps but havnt stoped completly still about 12cigs a day. But I have 2 1/2 weeks til surgery so I am still working on it. I start my pre op diet this week. Please let me know how you do when you wake up from anasthesia with the coughing. I know you will do fine and not have any problems with anesthesia. Our lungs are damaged but, dieing in surgery isn't my biggest concern. I just had a c-section 6 yrs ago and didn't die when they knocked me out but coughing afterwards hurt like heck. I just don't want to develop a leak. Good vibes coming your way, and a speedy recovery!

**madona** · 10-23-2011 12:50 PM

Originally Posted by kitty

Hey Madona, keep me posted how things go! I just bought a disposable e cig and it helps but havnt stoped completly still about 12cigs a day. But I have 2 1/2 weeks til surgery so I am still working on it. I start my pre op diet this week. Please let me know how you do when you wake up from anasthesia with the coughing. I know you will do fine and not have any problems with anesthesia. Our lungs are damaged but, dieing in surgery isn't my biggest concern. I just had a c-section 6 yrs ago and didn't die when they knocked me out but coughing afterwards hurt like heck. I just don't want to develop a leak. Good vibes coming your way, and a speedy recovery!

will do

**lynnden** · 10-23-2011 01:24 PM

My physician tested for nicotine at my pre-op visit and would not do the surg if I tested positive. It was my understanding that in addition to the problems it can cause for breathing it also slows healing. Try to concentrate on quitting before surg if you can. Good luck to you on your pre-op diet and your surg,