[SunyInFla]

hi Jacquii

You need a pat on the back for undertaking to major lifestyle changes at once!

I was concerned going into this because I had read numerous times that some surgeons required a person to have stopped before they have the surgery. I am fully aware of all the medical reasons for doing that but I just mentally wasn't ready for that much change in my life! Stress is my achilles heel and I didn't need to add to my stress levels.

Needless to say, my surgeon didn't require me to stop but she was appropriately insistent that I do so at some point. I recently agreed that I would start that journey after I drop another 25 pounds...and she is counting the pounds.

Smoking did interfere with my surgery. I had come down with a bad case of sinusitis that lead to bronchitis about 3 weeks before my original surgery date. Dr. Jessee did postpone the surgery until I was breathing better. However, I did have trouble with my oxygen levels during the surgery and had to remain on a ventilator (that nasty tube down your throat) for close to 24 hrs. I stayed in ICU on oxygen for a couple of more days because my levels just didn't want to come back up to a safe zone. On the other hand....I stayed in the hospital a few days, had plenty of pain meds and rest. As a result, I had absolutely no pain once I went home. I was tired but no gas pains or surgical site pains at all. I had to keep looking at my little incisions to remind myself I even had surgery.

Would I have done it had I known I would have ended up on the vent? I don't know, but I do know I want to avoid the vent if any other surgery is needed on down the line. I know smoking didn't cause the bronchitis but I know it certainly made the situation worse than it should have been.

Here's to a smoke free future.

Robin