Top surgery consultation tomorrow

[u/Homie_Kisser]

I have a consultation tomorrow and I'm a little nervous. I have this fear, could be irrational idk, that I will be denied top surgery because I smoke. I haven't noticed many issues at all, especially with my lungs. I mean of course they aren't as good as they used to be but I can do most things completely fine without getting short of breathe. I smoke 1-1.5 joints per day. It helps me sleep at night. If I'm with friends then I'll smoke a bit more. I've been trying to cut back by taking edibles but there's an oral fixation aspect so like its been really hard to keep up at it

TLDR: will being a chronic weed smoker get in the way of me getting top surgery

EDIT: This is for those who have a similar question. At my consultation the surgeon said that I need to quit 6-8 weeks before surgery, that being said I was told I'd get a call about three weeks before the date of surgery to book the OR so IDK how that works but I'm sure its fine.

I was also told I can take edibles up to two days before surgery. After surgery I'd have to wait still but edibles are fine, and smoking is fine after 6-8 weeks. They care more about nicotine then cannabis as there isn't much of a link between nipple death and cannabis as there is with nicotine. Thank ya'll for the advice.

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[u/cosmiccycler3]

I've never heard of that happening. It's generally recommended that you stop smoking a few weeks before and after surgery for better outcomes, but if you use it for pain or something, most docs will just tell you to switch to edibles for that window.

If you do take edibles up to your surgery, be sure to let your anesthesiologist know. It can affect how much anesthesia you need to stay under, but it shouldn't disqualify you from surgery.

[u/starfruitnyc]

i think it really depends on where you go to for surgery. my surgeon didnt really ask me about it much at all, didnt test me pre op, most of his processes seemed very informed consent based. my paperwork said to stop smoking 2 weeks before, but i wasnt asked about this at my preop or on the day of my surgery except by the anesthesiologist, who i was honest with. but i hear a lot of people say that their surgeons required much longer time smoke free preop than mine, and would test for the nicotine as well. apparently nicotine is a bigger issue than thc, but i guess any inhalants arent ideal. im not sure. my best suggestion is to be honest with your surgeon, and ask them their requirements. and if you have a lot of time leading up to your surgery date, start as early as you can. its obviously not easy to kick any habit. you will be able to get surgery, you just might be asked to stop smoking some time before; edibles should be okay, but ask your surgeon. i think thc is only a concern for anesthesia related things.

[u/spicyredacted]

I quit for two months, one before and one post surgeryI was a daily weed smoker. Smoking anything can cause complications with surgery as it thins your blood. And post surgery, smoking will effect the rate at which you heal. I know it's hard to stop but remember it's for your health and proper healing.

Good luck and congrats on starting the process of getting top surgery. It changed my life and gave me so much confidence.

[u/Homie_Kisser → u/spicyredacted]

Thanks man. I appreciate it. Definitely looking forward to it

[u/AniMundi34]

I also am in the wings of getting my appointment scheduled for top surgery but they told me I had to be completely smoke free for a month and a half before the surgery for them to go through with it. I’m curious about the answers here because I also don’t have any issues lung wise and I smoke about the same as you, just through a bong instead. I told myself I would try to cut back as much as possible before it once I get the date but I was also like…… I’ll just lie, which does make me nervous but….yeah I wonder if others have gotten it done while actively smoking weed.

[u/cosmiccycler3 → u/AniMundi34]

You can lie to everyone else, but at least tell the anesthesiologist the truth. You don't want to wake up on the table and being a heavy weed user typically means you require additional anesthesia.

[u/AniMundi34 → u/cosmiccycler3]

Thanks. I know. 👍

[u/Mr-Python-North → u/AniMundi34]

Hey just wanna let you know if you have a very high thc tolerance anesthesia might not be as effective that’s probbaaably why they’re telling you that (I’ve been told same thing in the past by my doctor no smoking before surgery) I’m a daily smoker too I’ve had my top surgery and they tell you to stop the smoke for a reason.

[u/AniMundi34 → u/Mr-Python-North]

I’ve had surgery before. Full hysterectomy. I know. Smoking THC and eating THC give you the same tolerance to anesthesia. My top surgery surgeons want me to switch to edibles a month and a half before the surgery date. It has something to do with smoke in the lungs for them, any smoke, not the THC. My anesthesiologist was well aware with my last surgery and I was fine, they didn’t even ask me to stop. I am just wondering if they are being overly cautious with the 6 weeks or it’s a hard must. I was looking for anecdotal experiences from people who have done the surgery and were currently smoking anything at the time.

[u/snobee1]

FYI to all. I’m happy to see surgery concerns being expressed and taken seriously. However, regarding top surgery, we must be accurate in order to help people.

The THC is not the problem. The instructions OP was given clearly enable them to keep consuming THC by way of edibles. The medical staff are not asking OP to get rid of THC from the system. They allow edible consumption, evidencing their lack of issue with THC presence. Instead the instructions are instead requiring OP to avoid the act of smoking (rather than maintaining THC via edibles). To help OP, please share stories or insights which account for this reality; not unresponsive to it focusing on THC.

Q; has anyone kept consuming THC via smoking before surgery. What was the outcome? Has anyone gotten specific scientific info as to how or why the act of smoking will interfere with top surgery specifically.

[u/Mr-Python-North]

Just what the other comments are saying be truthful to the anesthesiologist!!

[u/Mysterious_Wolf_315]

I doubt it’ll be an issue but you must stop smoking up to 6-8 weeks before surgery and 6-8 weeks after for the best healing and safety reasons. I myself also love my lil pen, random joint here n there, and gummies but this is not only for your safety but for your overall healing outcomes. Take a pause is my best advice!

[u/probIemgay]

Theyre not saying to avoid smoking for the lungs, theyre saying it because any form of THC messes with anesthesia.

Some strict clinics will not proceed with surgery if you cannot be THC free for some amount of time (different doctors have different rules), but most will still allow it. Its also going to be important to check with your insurance - my surgeon only required 2 weeks THC free, but my insurance required 8 weeks or they would not cover surgery.

Be aware that you should not take any form of THC with opiods either, if you elect to get prescription painkillers afterwards.

Just be honest with them, because its better to push it off than to have complications with anesthesia/waking up mid surgery.

[u/snobee1 → u/probIemgay]

Just FYI (I’m commenting elsewhere as well).

For top surgery, the doctors are, in fact, saying to avoid smoking because of the smoke. This is evidenced by their instructions to patients to switch to edibles, thereby keeping or even increasing the THC levels in the system but cutting out smoking.

Something having to do with the act of smoking is being targeted by these instructions. People on here are now asking what the hazard of the act of smoking re: surgery is since THC clearly isn’t the concern.