Community Conversation => Female to male transsexual talk (FTM) => Transsexual talk => FTM Top Surgery => Topic started by: Mark A on December 24, 2014, 04:27:19 PM Return to Full Version
Title: Quitting Smoking Top Surgery Question
Post by: Mark A on December 24, 2014, 04:27:19 PM
Post by: Mark A on December 24, 2014, 04:27:19 PM
Hello,
I'm in the earlier stages of planning my top surgery. I plan to go to Dr. Medalie in Cleveland, OH. I've got all the materials for the initial consultation, the letter, photos, and history form.
I am a current smoker. I've quit once but it didn't last long. I do intend to quit smoking again, I have been cutting back and I understand the reasons behind Dr. Medalie's stated requirement, "You must quit smoking for three months prior to surgery", but here's my question: Will he refuse to operate if I haven't quit using nicotine/quit smoking? Do they do a blood test or anything for nicotine?
I know nicotine impedes the healing process and I also know it's really difficult to quit. I'm not saying that if he'll perform my surgery even if I'm still using nicotine I won't try to quit, but it would really give me some peace of mind to know.
If anybody has some insight on this, especially with Dr. Medalie, I'd greatly appreciate if you shared your experience. Thanks!
I'm in the earlier stages of planning my top surgery. I plan to go to Dr. Medalie in Cleveland, OH. I've got all the materials for the initial consultation, the letter, photos, and history form.
I am a current smoker. I've quit once but it didn't last long. I do intend to quit smoking again, I have been cutting back and I understand the reasons behind Dr. Medalie's stated requirement, "You must quit smoking for three months prior to surgery", but here's my question: Will he refuse to operate if I haven't quit using nicotine/quit smoking? Do they do a blood test or anything for nicotine?
I know nicotine impedes the healing process and I also know it's really difficult to quit. I'm not saying that if he'll perform my surgery even if I'm still using nicotine I won't try to quit, but it would really give me some peace of mind to know.
If anybody has some insight on this, especially with Dr. Medalie, I'd greatly appreciate if you shared your experience. Thanks!
Title: Re: Quitting Smoking Top Surgery Question
Post by: JayDawg on December 24, 2014, 04:40:46 PM
Post by: JayDawg on December 24, 2014, 04:40:46 PM
Mark A, I quit in August for my top surgery in December. I smoked for 30+ years. My endo gave me Chantix to help me do it. I may not stay quit, but I wanted my top surgery very badly and would do anything to get it, including quitting smoking. I think your surgeon could decline to operate on you if you have not quit, and for something this important to you, I think you can power your way through a few months of not smoking to have the best results possible. They may not "test" you for it, but everyone that doesn't smoke can smell it on you and you need to be honest about it so the anesthesiologist can make adjustments.
-Jay
-Jay
Title: Re: Quitting Smoking Top Surgery Question
Post by: SWNID on December 25, 2014, 01:59:41 AM
Post by: SWNID on December 25, 2014, 01:59:41 AM
He will ask you, and the nurse and anesthsiologist will ask you, but will not test.
Title: Re: Quitting Smoking Top Surgery Question
Post by: Mark A on December 25, 2014, 05:27:55 AM
Post by: Mark A on December 25, 2014, 05:27:55 AM
Cool cool, thanks for the replies. Congrats, JayDawg on your recent surgery, btw!
I actually have spoken with my endo about Chantix but he was reluctant about it. Sort of that "worst-case scenario" type of anxiety. I just wanted to know if that was a likely possibility. This is extremely important to me and again, I am going to entirely quit smoking, but I can't say I'm not nervous about it.
I'm also wondering if the nicotine replacement gum and etc would be a problem regarding anesthesia and/or recovery?
I actually have spoken with my endo about Chantix but he was reluctant about it. Sort of that "worst-case scenario" type of anxiety. I just wanted to know if that was a likely possibility. This is extremely important to me and again, I am going to entirely quit smoking, but I can't say I'm not nervous about it.
I'm also wondering if the nicotine replacement gum and etc would be a problem regarding anesthesia and/or recovery?
Title: Re: Quitting Smoking Top Surgery Question
Post by: Bimmer Guy on December 25, 2014, 09:21:35 AM
Post by: Bimmer Guy on December 25, 2014, 09:21:35 AM
Quote from: Mark A on December 25, 2014, 05:27:55 AM
Cool cool, thanks for the replies. Congrats, JayDawg on your recent surgery, btw!
I actually have spoken with my endo about Chantix but he was reluctant about it. Sort of that "worst-case scenario" type of anxiety. I just wanted to know if that was a likely possibility. This is extremely important to me and again, I am going to entirely quit smoking, but I can't say I'm not nervous about it.
I'm also wondering if the nicotine replacement gum and etc would be a problem regarding anesthesia and/or recovery?
That is a good question. Is it the nicotine or the carcinogens/other crap in cigarettes that impact healing? If it is not the nicotine, this whole thing could be easier. Don't forget it is important to NOT smoke after surgery. That is the healing time.
I quit with Chantix 5 years ago. I was a 2.5 pack a day smoker for over 20 years. It was tough, but Chantix made a big difference.
Congrats on quitting JayDawg!
Title: Re: Quitting Smoking Top Surgery Question
Post by: Carol Chastleton on December 25, 2014, 11:54:58 AM
Post by: Carol Chastleton on December 25, 2014, 11:54:58 AM
Sweetheart -
Quitting smoking is one of the most significant things you can do to ensure the best healing and a good end result with your surgery. As I'm sure your doctor told you, smoking constricts vital blood flow and compromises the healing process. I totally get what a challenge it is to quit -I smoked for 40 years before quitting for good many years ago. I did quit before each of my surgical procedures (thanks to the patch and white knuckling it) but unfortunately I resumed smoking within a month or so afterward each time. Then several years ago I was slated to have spinal surgery to address herniated disks and the neurosurgeon assured me that he wouldn't even consider doing the procedure unless I stopped smoking. And yes, they can do a "nicotine panel" with your pre-op bloodwork to verify that you've quit. Something clicked in my mind and I smoked my last cigarette 30 days prior to the anticipated surgery. I also threw myself into the last ditch round of physical therapy that my surgeon prescribed mostly to mitigate my pain/discomfort and miraculously I didn't have the surgery after all. Eight years later I'm still 100% smokefree and keeping my back issues managed with exercise alone.
Do whatever you feel is right for you. Speaking as someone who smoked 1 - 2 packs/day for 40 years I can tell you that successfully quitting smoking is absolutely do-able and I wish you the best.
Carol
Quitting smoking is one of the most significant things you can do to ensure the best healing and a good end result with your surgery. As I'm sure your doctor told you, smoking constricts vital blood flow and compromises the healing process. I totally get what a challenge it is to quit -I smoked for 40 years before quitting for good many years ago. I did quit before each of my surgical procedures (thanks to the patch and white knuckling it) but unfortunately I resumed smoking within a month or so afterward each time. Then several years ago I was slated to have spinal surgery to address herniated disks and the neurosurgeon assured me that he wouldn't even consider doing the procedure unless I stopped smoking. And yes, they can do a "nicotine panel" with your pre-op bloodwork to verify that you've quit. Something clicked in my mind and I smoked my last cigarette 30 days prior to the anticipated surgery. I also threw myself into the last ditch round of physical therapy that my surgeon prescribed mostly to mitigate my pain/discomfort and miraculously I didn't have the surgery after all. Eight years later I'm still 100% smokefree and keeping my back issues managed with exercise alone.
Do whatever you feel is right for you. Speaking as someone who smoked 1 - 2 packs/day for 40 years I can tell you that successfully quitting smoking is absolutely do-able and I wish you the best.
Carol