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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ConfuzyQ on July 26, 2007, at 11:03:52
Hello, I may consider some elective (shall we say, cosmetic) surgery soon, but unfortunately I smoke. It's the stressful before period during which I'd be weakest, more so than after.
For the sake of this question, please let's pretend quitting is not an option. Isn't it nicotine that is by far the worst component as regards tissue healing? Such that if I am going to smoke a few cigs around this time, I may at least be better off with herbal, no-nic cigs?
I do know that they are *not* safe or maybe even safe-r at all, for one's general health. And I also know that the *right* answer is "Better safe than sorry," that I shouldn't smoke anything at all for at least 2 weeks before and after. But reasonable assumption isn't the kind of input I seek, lol. I'm hoping for opinions derived from specific scientific reasoning or even "hunches," as to whether herbals might interfere less with tissue healing.
FYI, a slower or more painful healing process I could deal with (pathetic, I know). I'm talking about risks of permanent stuff, like worse scarring, failure of tissues to "reconnect," etc. Also, I did have seamless and successful surgery 10 years ago, and did not even cut down on my regular cigs before or after. Believe it or not this was approved by the surgeon (probably because he smokes himself :), who is very reputable in his field.
Thanks so much for any thoughts. Please feel free to babblemail me instead if you don't want to say anything controversial on board. (B-mail with scientific thoughts or hunches that is; not opinions of this pathetic weakness. ;)
P.S., I hope this will be ok here... after all, herbal cigs are an "alternative" to regular!
Posted by saturn on July 26, 2007, at 19:34:30
In reply to Herbal (no nic)cigs prior surgery better at least?, posted by ConfuzyQ on July 26, 2007, at 11:03:52
I once heard a surgeon say that quitting smoking even for 48 hours prior to surgery has a significant impact on reducting post-operative infections--which I think is related to the smoke and not nicotine.
Of course you should act on your own docs instructions.
Good luck!
Posted by teejay on July 26, 2007, at 21:35:29
In reply to Herbal (no nic)cigs prior surgery better at least?, posted by ConfuzyQ on July 26, 2007, at 11:03:52
Stop being a pussy cat and just ditch the weed! ;-)
I smoked for 20 years and at the height of my addiction was on 3 packs a day. So, so glad I gave it up.
Do you know what makes you crave your next cigarette? Thats right, the one you;ve just put out. Without that one you won't crave the next one.
Smoking is just drug addiction, and once you actually admit that and embrace the fact, then quitting becomes a walk in the park.
I hope your surgery goes well, and sorry for the sermon!!! :-)
TJ
Posted by ConfuzyQ on July 26, 2007, at 22:13:26
In reply to Re: Herbal (no nic)cigs prior surgery better at least?, posted by teejay on July 26, 2007, at 21:35:29
Thanks folks! Well hmmm... Oh ok I quit, done, that's that! Boy that WAS easier than I thought, so glad it's over. But ya know it's just such an interesting subject in itself and I'm just so dadburn curious now, so let's discuss it anyway. Whaddaya think -- would herbals have been at least a little less bad? I may have to help out some poor soul someday who isn't as strong as I was. ;-)
Posted by revaaron on August 2, 2007, at 12:52:54
In reply to Re: Herbal (no nic)cigs prior surgery better at le, posted by ConfuzyQ on July 26, 2007, at 22:13:26
In a lot of ways, I would think that the herbal cig would be just as bad as real cigs, for the situation being discussed. I think one would be better off a nicotine patch and sucking on a lot of lollipops than smoking some nicotine-free herbal cigs. I don't know about the short-term physiological effects of quitting nicotine, but getting surgery while in withdrawal from various other drugs (opiates, benzos, amphetamines) is usually a very bad idea. It'd be better to continue with the nicotine, but drop the smoke inhalation, unless you had quit a month or two ahead of time to get the body to adjust to being nicotine free.
Posted by confuzyq on August 2, 2007, at 13:19:48
In reply to Re: Herbal (no nic)cigs prior surgery better at le, posted by revaaron on August 2, 2007, at 12:52:54
That's a very interesting hypothesis, thanks. I wouldn't have thought of that.
I've tried googling for any kind of specifics at all re my initial question, but there just don't seem to be any. I imagine that, same as it would be with asking most docs, in reality a large factor in the absence of opinions or "refusal" to actually entertain the question at all is bound to stem from "just" wanting to limit things to the best case scenario (or should I say, "worst"). And not even consider considering breaking it down into its parts this way. They'd probably fear it would be taken as a green light.
I understand that of course, and also why many of them would choose not to bother themselves with it period. But when it comes to science and medicine, I do think it should be possible to get a factual answer to a specific question (i.e. "would method x be at least less bad or not!")! To tune out all other factors including why I want to know, and just answer the dang question. Well, theorize about it anyway, as I doubt there are any definitive answers or studies.
Again, I appreciate the input, and that's an interesting angle to put on my list of things to unsuccessfully seek material on or "answers" to! ;-)
> In a lot of ways, I would think that the herbal cig would be just as bad as real cigs, for the situation being discussed. I think one would be better off a nicotine patch and sucking on a lot of lollipops than smoking some nicotine-free herbal cigs. I don't know about the short-term physiological effects of quitting nicotine, but getting surgery while in withdrawal from various other drugs (opiates, benzos, amphetamines) is usually a very bad idea. It'd be better to continue with the nicotine, but drop the smoke inhalation, unless you had quit a month or two ahead of time to get the body to adjust to being nicotine free.
This is the end of the thread.
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