Surgery and Nic

[Gingerzeronic]

I've read here that many docs are happy to have had patients get off analogs and I think that's great. What about those of you who have had elective surgery? My problem is just a bunion op but I know my HMO will want complete nic abstinence before scheduling an elective surgery. They actually test the day of surgery.

Is this just something HMOs do or is it a widespread thing? Do individual docs feel comfortable operating when you vape nic as long as you no longer smoke? This is not a crucial, time-sensitive question for me.

 

[keyzygirl]

Ive had surgery 2x in 6 months.Both pretty major.The surgeon was concerned about smoking and how it effects your breathing during anesthesia.I was fine vaping because my lungs were clear,no rasps.My lungs are strong and clear.I vaped in pre-op and post-op no problem.I was a smoker for 30yrs,been vaping for 2 1/2 years.Your surgeon may feel differently though.

 

[Gingerzeronic]

Ive had surgery 2x in 6 months.Both pretty major.The surgeon was concerned about smoking and how it effects your breathing during anesthesia.I was fine vaping because my lungs were clear,no rasps.My lungs are strong and clear.I vaped in pre-op and post-op no problem.I was a smoker for 30yrs,been vaping for 2 1/2 years.Your surgeon may feel differently though.

Interesting. I don't have a surgeon, just nanny-type HMO docs. The bunion surgery would be done with an ankle block, not a general. I'm just anticipating that I would have to be nic-free before they would even think about it.

That's not actually why I'm interested in going to zero nic eventually. I have other reasons for that.

 

[bmwjen]

For a local block, I don't think your doctor would be as concerned about the anesthesia part, as he/she would be more concerned regarding the healing part. Nicotine works as a vasoconstrictor in the blood stream (i.e. constricting the vessels & not allowing free flow of blood to get to the part of the body that needs healed)

However, I am having major surgery under general anesthesia in a week. My surgeon and primary care doctors are aware that I use an electronic cigarette, and neither has told me to stop using it prior to nor after surgery. I've even asked my surgeon to write orders that I be allowed to use my electronic cigarette in my hospital room, that way there is no clarifying anything with anyone else post-operatively.

 

[Gingerzeronic]

For a local block, I don't think your doctor would be as concerned about the anesthesia part, as he/she would be more concerned regarding the healing part. Nicotine works as a vasoconstrictor in the blood stream (i.e. constricting the vessels & not allowing free flow of blood to get to the part of the body that needs healed)

However, I am having major surgery under general anesthesia in a week. My surgeon and primary care doctors are aware that I use an electronic cigarette, and neither has told me to stop using it prior to nor after surgery. I've even asked my surgeon to write orders that I be allowed to use my electronic cigarette in my hospital room, that way there is no clarifying anything with anyone else post-operatively.

Very interesting. They aren't concerned about the effect of nicotine on healing? I think your docs are probably more enlightened than any I've run into.

 

[txteatime]

Your docs expect 0 nicotine and actually test for it? And for something as simple as a bunion? Wow.

I've had lots of surgeries with general anaesthesia and have never run into that. I'm having heart surgery next Thursday and it hasn't even come up.

 

[sidetrack]

Smoking also thickens the blood by increasing the redblood cell count, increases clotting. One reason many Dr.'s have smokers do asprin therapy. Thickening the blood can block ateries may lead to heart attack.

 

[slr817]

I'm a nurse and worked in surgery for years, Nicotine constricts the blood vessels and the area where you're having surgery isn't rich in blood vessels, so if you use nicotine before the surgery you'll have a wound that won't heal like it should.

 

[Gingerzeronic]

I'm a nurse and worked in surgery for years, Nicotine constricts the blood vessels and the area where you're having surgery isn't rich in blood vessels, so if you use nicotine before the surgery you'll have a wound that won't heal like it should.

I'm sure that's what they're thinking.

 

[bjannr]

I was told by an orthopedic surgeon that nicotine inhibits healing. I did not have surgery but had an elbow inflammation. When he asked me if I smoked I told him I vaped. He wasn't very happy with that.

 

[Slight]

I've had 3 brain surgeries while i been a heavy analog smoker. Doctors always tell me which is recommended not to smoke for couple weeks prior to the surgery. But i always smoked right before going inside the hospital (washed my hands and rince my mouth of course) and i was fine, thought is not recommended of course, after surgery depends the kind of surgery you had, nicotine can slow down the healing process i believe and maybe the scar wont be heal as it should. But eh, is easy doctors tell a heavy smoker not to, is difficult to do it..

 

[Shizzle]

as others have said, nicotine affects the healing process, and it's also very dangerous for those undergoing general anesthesia, as it can cause inadequate oxygen supply to the heart.

for a minor surgery i had recently (with local anesthetic), my doc said "no nicotine 2 weeks before nor 2 weeks after." but then he whispered "i realize that's darn near impossible for some of my patients...therefore, whatever you do, do not use any nicotine products for at least 2 DAYS before and 2 DAYS after, to minimize the possible negative consequences...think you can do that??"

of course i said yes, lol. outcome was excellent.




(oh, and btw, i settled on abstaining for 1 week before and 1 week after ).