Well, WV, That makes three of us, so far, and here, we would be standing out in the snow/rain/and occasional heat at a regulated 5 metres away from a doorway, window or air intake, not to mention, a $250.00 fine for not using the city ashtrays...we get that.

As to the surgeon, it's understandable about the smoking because naturally, he wants the best outcome for you, and for him. He has all the stats and we don't deny that they are certainly legitimate. You can have your thymus removed via other procedures. It's a matter of finding a surgeon who is trained to do so.

I can also appreciate the pressure placed on you by this surgeon. I suspect a few patients will either quit or fib. (I'm absolutely not suggesting the latter.) I just know smokers.

We can't be denied here and I wonder what I would have done if it was the case here. Tap, tap....I know for certain that I wouldn't have lied...I also doubt that I could have quit. I dunno...

I quit 3 weeks and one day before my surgery because the surgeon would not do my transsternal thymectomy if I didn't. He claimed that they would do blood tests to make sure I had quit, not sure I believed that but couldn't take a chance. The first 4 days were the hardest, after that it wasn't too bad. So, 10 days in the hospital (5 for plasma x change and 5 for surgery) and I went home on Christmas Day. And.... 36 hours later I folded and foolishly decided I deserved a cigarette after all I'd been through. So, 1 1/2 years later I'm still smoking. You are not the only one!!!!

...make that 4 of us who smoke.

Hello Dolphin I almost broke out in a cold sweat when I saw the "first 4 days..." WOW! And you quit at time when the stress levels would have been exceedingly high. The surgeon must have frightened you, which was his intent, natch. Hats off to you for that attempt!

Speaking of frightened...Do they have a blood test? I don't know but I'm
going to find out, merely out of curiosity and interest.

Do they have a blood test for nicotine?....YES, and it can detect even minute amounts......no surprise, I guess.

I smoke as well.

When I am really rough its a ciggie and a diet coke to perk me up. Purely for medicinal purposes though!

I go for a good cup of coffee and a ciggie.
Mike

Thanks for great info! Have been able to quit, several times over years and this for good. Hub has done same but always comes back to it. Chantix not good for him for a variety of reasons. Some years back he used a spray called Nicotrol and it worked but don't think it's on market now. Hopefully all the pressure he has on him will help but he is having a hard time, like some of you posting, really enjoys the smoking. I will show him some of this info if I can get him to look at it. Thanx. He's under pressure from doc and work and money and health issues are crucial. So I'm hoping and praying. Thanks for all everyone's stories and info.

Don't try CHANTIX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That drug is dangerous and should be banned!!!!!

Well, thanks for NOTHIN', Mike! I stared at that...at 8:00 pm...!

My highly intelligent mother was respected and appreciated for her organization and incisive thinking at the firm for which she worked until she was 74 (they begged her to not retire several times). But she smoked about half a pack daily, except for one year or so when I made a bet with her to stop - 35 years ago. She just died, in her early 80's, totally wasted from COPD and congestive heart failure. The death certificate made no bones about it - she died because she smoked for 60+ years. Stop now, please!