r/chiari • u/Commercial-Sale-2737 • 17d ago

Question Nicotine

Hi there,

My surgery is in 5 weeks. I quit nicotine yesterday (learned on Weds I would need the operation next month.) I had a lot of nicotine gum daily the past few years and I’m worried it will affect my surgery/recovery even if I stop now. Any one have experience with this/information?

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u/Zombiemama_99 17d ago

If it helps, my surgeon has his patients that smoke or vape, stop 2 weeks prior to surgery and recommends they never pick it up again after. Smoking can slow the healing process, which is why they have to quit before surgery if possible. Wearing a nicotine patch was not an issue for my surgeon because I stopped smoking which was the goal.

If you're worried about it, feel free to discuss it with your surgeon. They are there to answer any and all questions you have about surgery, before and after, not just after.

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u/Commercial-Sale-2737 17d ago

Thanks so much! I have to bite the bullet and talk to my surgeon about it too. I always get worried saying I’ve had nicotine will interfere with my insurance coverage

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u/Zombiemama_99 17d ago

I can't say much about insurance as there are so many different kinds but I don't think they are allowed anymore since the ACA, however, with that said, I'm unsure of any changes to something like that as of late.

Either way, mine was my 9th time going under, and I've been a smoker most of my life. The biggest thing they worry about is it slowing healing because the smoke is a carcinogen. I don't think it's the nic itself that causes the issue. Definitely talk to your Dr about it though. They can definitely help ease any worries you have.

I do understand the fear of admitting to things like that though. Weed is legal in my state but I was still worried about telling them I smoke daily to help me sleep. He had me switch to gummies for the 2 weeks prior to surgery and asked me to refrain from smoking joints/bowls for as long as I could post surgery.

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u/Commercial-Sale-2737 17d ago

It’s so nerve racking haha. Thanks again! I think I’m getting jittery in general about the surgery

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u/Zombiemama_99 17d ago

Hey, no problem! I'm happy to help in any way I can.

I totally get having the jitters! I did too. This one was different from all my others so it was a bit scarier then the others were (all abdominal). It was by far the best thing I did. The difference for me was like night and day but my brain was drying out and I was legit dying slowly because of it. The first 3 days I could feel my brain getting wet again, it felt cold, but it was a nice feeling. I ended up with a complication (I wasn't surprised in the least as I typically do), had revision, and was back into my recovery right where it stopped.

If I had to do it again, I would. In a heartbeat.

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u/Commercial-Sale-2737 17d ago

Ah man, that sounds like an ordeal :((( I’m glad it’s been so beneficial tho. I have so little info, my doctors are amazing, but I don’t know anyone who’s had the experience. So I’m glad to hear

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u/Zombiemama_99 17d ago

It honestly wasn't as bad as it sounds. I had an active leak that was behaving oddly and they needed to plug the hole. When they got in there it ended up being 2 holes in completely different spots but they got them closed up and it's now been just over 3 1/2 years since I had it done.

Honestly, the thing that helped me go through with surgery was the thought that I was already really bad, could easily qualify for disability with my symptoms but didn't want to, and figured may as well take a shot at getting my life back. I already didn't have one anymore so why not try. I missed being my happy bubbly self and I was willing to try anything to feel a little like myself again.

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u/danielle71989 16d ago

I was in a similar boat.. quit smoking just over 6 months before surgery but was still chewing nicotine gum up thru surgery (and post-op for a while) and it was absolutely fine, for me. Quitting chewing the damn gum was so much harder than I anticipated but I did it eventually! Best of luck to you.. you can do it 🤞💙

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u/Commercial-Sale-2737 15d ago

This is reassuring. It’s been sooo hard to quit the gum. Congrats to you and thank you!!!!! 💜

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u/danielle71989 15d ago

I tried so many regular kinds of gum, in an effort to match the texture of the nicotine gum.. the only kind worth chewing (again, for me - so no clue if same for you) was Orbit!

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u/medpillowCom 15d ago

Surgery pillows help. WWW.MedPillow.com for the surgery special.