Doctors giving you a hard time about smoking
 

Many of you know I had surgery today. When the anesthesiologist came in to talk to me, one of his questions was "Do you smoke?"

I answered, "Yeah, I smoke an occasional cigar, maybe 1-3 per week."

His reply: "Oh, come on man!" Followed by reading me the riot act and calling cigars "death sticks."

Granted, I am grossly overweight, and I have high blood pressure. But my General Practitioner (the one who put me on the high blood pressure meds) is perfectly ok with it, my brother in law is an emergency room doctor and a fellow BOTL, and one of my colleagues at work is an MD and agrees that the occasional cigar will not likely do me any major harm.

So, have any of you other guys or gals been given a hard time by your doctor(s) re: your smoking?

Re: Doctors giving you a hard time about smoking
 

Christian,

I'm not sure what to say on this but I'm glad your surgery went relatively well.

Re: Doctors giving you a hard time about smoking
 

:tpd:

No hassle here. Glad to hear everythings o.k. though.

Re: Doctors giving you a hard time about smoking
 

It's the way society is today. they've been brain-washed that a tobacco is B-A-D for you. They don't actually think for themselves, they just react in a "all tobacco types are bad for you" rmentality.

Sorry you bumped into this loser.

Glad the surgery went well! Have a smoke to celebrate bro!! :ss

Re: Doctors giving you a hard time about smoking
 

My Doctor told me that an occasional cigar was not a problem.

Re: Doctors giving you a hard time about smoking
 

Hmmm..... I guess that a guy about to put you under is not someone you argue with!

I hope indeed that all went well for you, and I think that unless one is an anti-smoking crusader it's generally thought(and studies seem to bear this out) that even up to two cigars a day(not inhaled) will likely not have a negative impact on your health. My doctor told me that a couple a week should be no problem, altho I'm now up to one a day- so we'll see what he says when I mention this to him in April when I have my AP.

Re: Doctors giving you a hard time about smoking
 

When I had surgery on my wrist it was preached that I don't smoke as apparently it constricts the blood vessels and makes healing longer. Good point so I cut back with the cold. When it warms up watch out! :ss

Re: Doctors giving you a hard time about smoking
 

My doc smokes a pipe. :pi

When I had surgery a few years ago, I told the anesthesiologist that I smoked at least one cigar a day and he didn't say a word.

Also, some of our best customers at the shop are anesthesiologists. :r

Re: Doctors giving you a hard time about smoking
 

The same thing happened to me when I had my appendectomy.

I'm glad your surgery went well.

Re: Doctors giving you a hard time about smoking
 

Hey- you're a tenor. That's a prerequisite!

http://cache.eb.com/eb/image?id=67641&rendTypeId=4

Re: Doctors giving you a hard time about smoking
 

Ah, one of my idols. Rest in Peace, Luciano.

Re: Doctors giving you a hard time about smoking
 

As a GP, I have reviewed the evidence. It seems that the natural cut-off for ill effects vs lung and heart diseases is at about 1 cigar a day. Above that and you are accumulating risk. At or below that then you won't be increasing your risk in any great statistical fashion. The exception to that is larynx (a part of the throat) cancer (even many of the other head and neck cancers obey the 1/day rule). For some reason, any cigar smoking does increase your risk.

The assumptions are: you don't inhale. Other precautions I would include would be don't swallow your saliva while smoking (the researchers theorize that swallowing contaminated saliva may lead to this unavoidable risk, I find this precaution easy to follow, because frequent mouth rinsing does seem to improve the flavour of even the best tastiest cigars). Another modifier to the risk profile is whether you have ever been a smoker before; this may be because of previous accumulated risks "re-awakening" or may have to do with the whole inhaling thing again.

So, make no mistake, we are increasing our risks by using tobacco products. However, the amount of risk and the risk-to-benefit ratio that comes with choosing to do things you enjoy are probably leaning in your favour to have an enjoyable life. Someone on this board will die because of their cigar habit, but its not likely to be you (statistically :) )

That all said, if I had surgery, I would hold off on the cigars for the time being. Something about tobacco does tend to slow the healing process. The last thing I want is poor healing after a surgery. Thus, in that circumstance I would lean to the side of caution. Once the surgery is completely behind me, then I would breathe a sigh of relief and then promptly inhale a stogie of relief.

Cheers

Cyanide

Re: Doctors giving you a hard time about smoking
 

Cyanide, thank you for your post. I really appreciate your input, especially given your qualifications. Your statements are based in science, truthfully acknowledging the risks, without being over-the-top. Thank you.

PS I will be laying off the smokes for a while, especially while taking Toradol and Vicodin for the pain.

Re: Doctors giving you a hard time about smoking
 

Told my doctor I smoked cigars and he said, "Ah ha I finally found something wrong with you" then he laughed....he didn't really care.

Re: Doctors giving you a hard time about smoking
 

I had a nurse at the doctor's office go off on me once about smoking cigars but my doctor said in moderation it was okay...That was when I smoked one a week. Now I smoke three per week. When I had surgery last fall they didn't even asked me if I smoked. After surgery it was a month before I even felt like smoking a cigar.

I figure that something is going to kill me someday...it might as well be something that I enjoy and has brought me pleasure in my life. I drink moderately and smoke moderately, but on the other hand, I do not skydive, bungie jump, deep sea dive, climb mountains, spelunk, surf, or live in Kansas so I think I have evened out the odds.

Re: Doctors giving you a hard time about smoking
 

Tell them you smoke cigars once a week, but smoke hash everyday. I bet they change their opinion on cigar smoking. :r

Re: Doctors giving you a hard time about smoking
 

My VA Doc who I have had for 25 years gave me the :tu to smoke a cigar when I feel like it as long as I don't go crazy. Her attitude is that since I'm 60 + and even with a number of health issue's a person needs to have something they enjoy in life. Anyway it's "For The Children".

Re: Doctors giving you a hard time about smoking
 

:r:r:r
I laugh because my doctor loves for me to go see him.
I always bring him a handful of forbidden land cigars and he smiles like a kid the rest of the day.
He particularly loves when I go on a Friday, as he golfs on Saturday.
So......from my doc? Never.
Change doctors.:r

Re: Doctors giving you a hard time about smoking
 

I asked my doctor and he said it certainly wasn't healthy, and I think we can all agree upon that. We are lighting in tabacoo which has nicotine which isn't good for you, and combusting any plant creates tar. But the relaxation, comrodory, good times, and great taste of the cigar outweigh that.

Re: Doctors giving you a hard time about smoking
 

Blueface, next time you make it up to Disney World, or I go back home to South FL, we must meet up for a smoke and drink. My wife's older sister lives in Wellington.

Re: Doctors giving you a hard time about smoking
 

My blood pressure is actually LOWER after smoking a cigar. I attribute that to the fact that I just gave myself an hour-plus of no-stress "me time."

Re: Doctors giving you a hard time about smoking
 

Christian glad you are ok and back on the boards...

I haven't encountered that situation of my Dr. giving me a hard time but one of my close friends is a MD and he loves it when I bring sticks around...If my reg physician said anything then I'd just pull the old "I'm in better shape than you" thing..

George Burns and Winston Churchill lived past 80...they smoked cigars every day didn't they?

Re: Doctors giving you a hard time about smoking
 

To make it even more cigar-related, Arturo Fuente Sr. lived a good long life, and Avo Uvezian is turning 83 this year and STILL WORKING!

Re: Doctors giving you a hard time about smoking
 

isn't the head honcho of the Robania family still alive and kicking and in his 80s?

Re: Doctors giving you a hard time about smoking
 

Yes, Don Alejandro Robaina is alive and kicking.

http://www.finestcubancigars.com.tw/...Robaina_bg.jpg

I believe he is 89, nearly 90. :2

Re: Doctors giving you a hard time about smoking
 

At least. Winston was a chain cigar smoker. Bottom line, heredity plays a more important part in things than just about anything else!

Re: Doctors giving you a hard time about smoking
 

I chalk it up to quality of life,,,there is enough illness and disease around and if smoking a cigar a few times a week is going to end your life chances are you were prone to illness or disease in the first place and having a cigar on top of that is probably not a good idea. For those of us who are in good enough shape and we enjoy it it becomes a matter of choice and for me I'd rather have a cigar and relax than to sit around and be anxious and have my BP shoot up about 30 points. Each person has to evaluate what is best for them.

Re: Doctors giving you a hard time about smoking
 

This has actually happened for me. When I was able to smoke, after work, for about 90 minutes on my front porch, my BP actually went down a notch.

Doc wasn;t exactly thrilled, but decided the BP was going to get me before the smoking, so it was a win win for me.:dance:

Re: Doctors giving you a hard time about smoking
 

And remember even doctors are people with their own personal bias influenced, pre-conceived notions on subjects, right or wrong. On more subjects than we want to know about, doctor's opinions are just that: opinions.

Re: Doctors giving you a hard time about smoking
 

Dude, you live very close to my doctor who is a chemical engineer, biologist, and a lot of things I can't remember, but also a wild game hunter with trophies on his wall from all over the world.

Most importantly, he grew up in Havana, has a love for cigars, and will tell you the risk involved compared to the relaxation factor many achieve, isn't worth talking about. He absolutely hates cigarettes though and got me to quit.

Basically, if you're not inhalling, there are risks, but not nearly as bad as many other things. Look at George Burns....

Re: Doctors giving you a hard time about smoking
 

Most physicians educated on the studies done on cigar smoking realize that moderate (less than 2 cigars a day) has very little effect on overall health. Even the ACS (American Cancer Society) who has every reason to trash cigar smoking says health effects of occasional cigar smoking are not known. Their statement isn't completely honest. I wrote up a pretty extensive review on the health effects of cigar smoking awhile back. I'll see if I can dig it up.

Re: Doctors giving you a hard time about smoking
 

:r:r:r:r:r:


Sorry - Now that is funny right there.


Ron

Re: Doctors giving you a hard time about smoking
 

Yeah -

I gave my Doc a handful of smokes after my surgery - and gave his PA a five pack for her boyfriend. I waited until after the surgery - just in case it didn't work out - which as some of you know, damn near didn't. :ss

Look - damn near everyone in the medical field is trained to give you crap about smoking. So what - smile, nod your head and carry on.


Ron

Re: Doctors giving you a hard time about smoking
 

Mine tells me to quite, then just laughs. :r

Re: Doctors giving you a hard time about smoking
 

As a MEDEVAC Pilot, I get a thorough physical every year. When the Doctors ask if I smoke, I tell them 3-5 sticks a week. They usually laugh and ask me which cigars are my favorite, and do I have any recommendations for them.

One of my doctors told me the following once. "Something will kill us one day. You can maybe die a year or two early because of cigars, or spend the rest of your life missing them."

Will

Re: Doctors giving you a hard time about smoking
 

I have smoked cigarettes for years and have been trying to quit. I have cut back drastically I told my doctor that I have cut back on cigarettes but have been smocking cigars more and she still threw a hissy fit no winning with them. Anti smoking Nazi thats all I have to say!!
Josh

Re: Doctors giving you a hard time about smoking
 

I haven't run through the research in awhile but the National Cancer Institute published...Monograph number 9, Cigars, Health Effects and Trends in February, 1998. For smokers who limit their cigars to 1-2 a day...the risks are small and difficult to interpret. Lets also keep in mind many studies that have shown cigars to be harmful usually have alcohol as a cofactor. The studies overwhelmingly show that moderate cigar smoking has very little risk to overall health.

Re: Doctors giving you a hard time about smoking
 

Glad to hear you're doing better.

I always find it amusing when a doctor, nurse, emt, goes into the riot act about smoking. All those years of medical school and they come out sounding like an afterschool special. I mean how do they expect you to react? "WOW, I had no idea smoking was bad for you. Thanks Dr. Obvious, you saved my life."


True story: A good friend of mine who's a kidney specialist smokes cigars and eats red meat but won't drink tap water because of the contaminates. :r

Re: Doctors giving you a hard time about smoking
 

Glad the surgery went well. Perhaps your anesthesiologists was worried because he works with gasses -- could be a fear of flames.

Re: Doctors giving you a hard time about smoking
 

I had surgery on Thursday. Was asked by about six different doctors whether I smoke. I answered: "cigars" to each and every one. None of them said another word about it. Now, I didn't volunteer that I had had three the night before the surgery, including a RyJ Cazadore at midnight that was just a nicotine bomb, but they didn't ask about that ;).

By the way, I have now gone over 48 hours without a cigar. I think it's time to get back on that smoking wagon :D

Re: Doctors giving you a hard time about smoking
 

It really frustrates me that a man about to put you under the knife felt the need to "preach" to you about cigar smoking. As if you didn't have enough on your mind as it was. The most he should of said concerning cigars would be that nicotine may slow down the healing process due to white cell count etc. This is not a time to change a persons habits with scare tactics.

Leave it to some holier than thou delicate genius to use this tact. When I had my back surgery a few weeks ago I didn't mention the cigar smoking. I did however mention that I had a few (or more) drinks of Jameson a week. It's funny how they never preach to a person about drinking, but God forbid you light up a premium cigar once in a while.

When I was an (uneducated) young fella I used tell my pop not to smoke cigars because my teacher said they were bad for him and they will end up killing him. He would say "How willa I get ta heaven ifa I don'ta die-a" in very broken Italian English.

I'm very glad your surgery went well, Christian. Get well soon and prayers going out for a speedy recovery.

Here is some interesting reading concerning this topic:

http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/C...igarettes.html

Re: Doctors giving you a hard time about smoking
 

Ironic

that an anesthesiologist

who makes his living by injecting into peoples' bodies

all sorts of

manufactured, mind-altering, legal but arguably lethal substances,

was giving you a hard time about enjoying the occasional

organic, mind-altering, legal but arguably lethal substance.

:rolleyes: (he must have taken the Hypocritical Oath...)

Glad the surgery went well!

Re: Doctors giving you a hard time about smoking
 

Obviously, we're big time cigar enthusiasts here, some of us are physicians too. I totally understand that no one likes to be told what they should do, but some of the criticism here makes no sense to me. The guy is aware of a health hazard, and he feels it's his job to try and modify your behaviour by letting you know. That anesthesiologist has likely seen hundreds of people on his table that are there because they have smoked.
To attribute other motives to what he is doing, calling him a hypocrite, comparing general anesthetic agents to tobacco etc. is just dumb. You don't want to listen to the guy, no worries. All of us lead our own lives. He's done his job.

Re: Doctors giving you a hard time about smoking
 

My doctor knows about my hefty consumption of both as hasn't bugged me yet.

Re: Doctors giving you a hard time about smoking
 

Avo is still a pimp at 83. I wish I could be like a ramora and feed off his scraps. You ever see the girls around him at Corona?

I went for my annual skin cancer screening, living here in Fla and all, and as I turned into the parking lot, the whole side of the building was nurses puffing cigarretes.

I shook my head as I pulled away, slightly burning from the basal cells frozen off my lilly white forehead.

Re: Doctors giving you a hard time about smoking
 

Last month, I met up with Aldrin, Wayne, Kevin and Andrew for an impromtu Corona herf. Avo popped in for a second and had some super hot babes with him. Somehow, he left with more!

He was very gracious and posed for pics with some people. He looks to be a very spry 83 years old.

Re: Doctors giving you a hard time about smoking
 

I think the alligator skin humidor turns the ladies on....

Re: Doctors giving you a hard time about smoking
 

I thought my OP was pretty respectful, if a little upset. I also see no need to resort to name calling and personal attacks on the anesthesiologist. Really, all I wanted was to hear other stories about other BOTL who may or may not have had a doctor give them a hard time about smoking, in various situations.

PS I know your post wasn't really directed at me. I actually agree with most of what you said in your post.

Re: Doctors giving you a hard time about smoking
 

Perhaps, but... smoked cigars? Doubtful.

I said it was ironic.

It's not the anesthesiologist's job to try modifying the patient's behavior immediately before surgery. His job is to make sure the patient goes under & wakes up. If cigar smoking has a bearing on that, then certainly he has a need to know. But it doesn't sound like the lecture was necessary, as Waynegro1 points out. :2

Re: Doctors giving you a hard time about smoking
 

You know he killed that alligator himself, right? With his bare hands? That was during his 80th birthday.