Pls tell me that i am not the only smoker

Allie, I know that feeling ashamed is one of the things that KEPT me smoking!  When I was finally able to quit, it was when I had moved into feeling that I deserved APPLAUSE for resisting an urge to have a particular cigarette!

I definitely had cigarettes on my way to biopsies, MRIs, lumpectomy.  I had my last 3 weeks before mastectomy.  I know there are women on this board who smoked through treatment, whose doctors said it was too stressful a time to quit.

My plastic surgeon said "it would be really great if you could quit at least 3 weeks before and 3 weeks after mastectomy/reconstruction." (I had expander/implant, not a DIEP or flap surgery -- I was afraid those would be too compromised by smoking). I think his kindness and his suggestion that it was "temporary" was enormously helpful in my quitting.  I'm so glad I did -- but I know that the removal of the feeling of shame really helped me.  Also the idea that you're just refusing one cigarette at a time!  That concept helped me quit permanently! 

(A friend who has done AA for years told me, "tell yourself you're just not having a cigarette NOW -- there are still cigarettes in the world, but you're not having one NOW."  And I would call her up to say "congratulate me -- I wanted one 5 minutes ago, but I didn't have it, and now I don't want one!"  That approach was how I finally quit -- after years of trying patches, etc.)

Wishing you the very best,

hugs,

Ann

Chantrix and Valium - that is the best way to quit!!  I haven't smoked since Tuesday - ok so it has only been 4 days but I smoked for 30 years straight.  The Chantrix gets rid of all of your nicotine withdrawals - believe me it does!  You have to deal with the mental withdrawals which are just as bad so I pop Valium here and there when I really need it!

You can take valium for MRI, bone scans, biopsys, etc. but if they are going to give you general anesthesia then you need to let them know if you have taken valium or ask them if it is ok because you are having a MAJOR ANXIETY ATTACK.

Allie1075,

I am not saying you should do this as everyone is different and you never know the risks but I did smoke 2 cigs before surgery. I think I had about 3 hours free before going under. I would suggest staying up late so you can sleep in longer and don't have to go through as many urges during this stressful time. Cutting down will make you feel better too.

So far I have been healing fine with my expanders but it is still early so that is a constant stress. Come join our quit smoking thread, the group is awesome and you will find more support, the more the merrier.

Good luck with your surgery and let us know how you are doing.

Best,
Janet

Okay - do NOT blame yourself because the expander failed!  Mine failed too and I haven't had a cigarette in 5 years.  If it hadn't been so bad to quit and stay off cigarettes, bc would have had me smoking again.  However, if I am ever diagnosed with a terminal disease where there is absolutely no hope, first thing I am going to do is buy a carton of cigarettes.

I smoke every chance I get. I am stage IV mets to liver. I smoked the morning of surgery and as soon as I got home. No problems with any of my 17 surgeries including bilateral mastectomies/expanders or anything else. Lungs are clear and sound as a bell. I used to try to quit but now....NOT. I am through being embarrassed.

Any surgeon/MD who says they won't do surgery is thinking there are not OTHER MD's out there. 30 years of being a nurse tells me this person is a jackass and does not deserve to get your money. No MD has the right to beat you into submission. Particularly when they know you are so vulnerable. You are in control and don't let anyone tell you different.

If you want to quit and can stand the stress, go for it, but do it because you want to! Now is not the time to let anyone strong arm you.

Good luck sweetheart.

I smoke. I quit last year for 6 months using patches, but the PS didn't want me using them. She gave me chantix. I did well on it till I had to stop taking it. Not sure if it was causing side effect or my Crohn's was flaring.

My PS told me she would do the surgeries she HAD to do, but any thing following that wasn't medically necessary she wouldn't unless I quit. So it's quit now or quit later. I'm not having the DEIP done, just silicone gel implants after the expanders. But she says that the nicotine may interfere with the healing process. I've never had a problem before with surgeries, but I'm afraid to chance this one

I know they can detect a chemical in your blood if you smoke,Cotinine . Nicotine doesn't stay in your blood for long, that's why you have the craving for it.  And I think they can check your carbon monoxide levels too. I just wonder if she'd go to the trouble of testing me for smoking. For some reason, I am afraid to take that chance.

I wish you the best on quitting! I hope it goes smoothly!