While it is ideal to stop smoking prior to a procedure, I find it discriminating to refuse surgery to an active smoker. My friend, (an alcoholic) went through surgery without a question. A Colleague, (pot smoker), not a problem. Me, who wants a breast reduction, has been turned away from Ontario surgeons. I'm in pain, and find my relief (albeit sad), in smoking instead of popping pills... Perhaps if I felt better and wasn't in constant back pain, I'd be more encouraged to quit....
August 1, 2018
Answer: Is this discrimination? No, this isn't discrimination. As doctors it is our responsibility to make sure that you are as healthy as possible prior to surgery and as surgeons, it is always our responsibility to make sure we minimize any possibility of postoperative complications, which can be emotionally and financially exhausting. While you mention that your friends have had surgery with their own health issues, you didn't mention whether those surgeries were elective (did not HAVE to be done) or whether they were urgent or emergent and had to be done for a patient to survive regardless of overall health status. To put it a different way, your breast reduction could definitely improve your quality of life but doesn't have to be done to save your life. Surgeons routinely deny surgery to patients whose less than ideal health status makes for more risk than the surgery might benefit. You do have control over whether or not you smoke, even if it might be a challenge for you, so it is not unreasonable for your surgeon to ask you to quit smoking so that you do everything possible on your side to ensure a good outcome just as you expect the surgeon to do everything possible on their side to ensure your good outcome. I make this analogy to any patient that I ask to quit smoking prior to an elective surgery: you would not want me to have a glass of wine or cocktail prior to your surgery (nor would I ever do so) because you want me to be at my best prior to your surgery. We're simply asking that you be at your best as well and do your part to minimize the risk of surgery, just as we will do all that we can, so that we are truly partners in this endeavor. I hope this makes sense and encourages you to quit smoking prior to your surgery and hopefully for good. While you may eventually find someone who will do your surgery even if you smoke, the best doctors are going to make you quit smoking first because they truly care about you as a person and want your best possible outcome. Best of luck!
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
August 1, 2018
Answer: Is this discrimination? No, this isn't discrimination. As doctors it is our responsibility to make sure that you are as healthy as possible prior to surgery and as surgeons, it is always our responsibility to make sure we minimize any possibility of postoperative complications, which can be emotionally and financially exhausting. While you mention that your friends have had surgery with their own health issues, you didn't mention whether those surgeries were elective (did not HAVE to be done) or whether they were urgent or emergent and had to be done for a patient to survive regardless of overall health status. To put it a different way, your breast reduction could definitely improve your quality of life but doesn't have to be done to save your life. Surgeons routinely deny surgery to patients whose less than ideal health status makes for more risk than the surgery might benefit. You do have control over whether or not you smoke, even if it might be a challenge for you, so it is not unreasonable for your surgeon to ask you to quit smoking so that you do everything possible on your side to ensure a good outcome just as you expect the surgeon to do everything possible on their side to ensure your good outcome. I make this analogy to any patient that I ask to quit smoking prior to an elective surgery: you would not want me to have a glass of wine or cocktail prior to your surgery (nor would I ever do so) because you want me to be at my best prior to your surgery. We're simply asking that you be at your best as well and do your part to minimize the risk of surgery, just as we will do all that we can, so that we are truly partners in this endeavor. I hope this makes sense and encourages you to quit smoking prior to your surgery and hopefully for good. While you may eventually find someone who will do your surgery even if you smoke, the best doctors are going to make you quit smoking first because they truly care about you as a person and want your best possible outcome. Best of luck!
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August 1, 2018
Answer: Smoking through breast reduction Thanks for your question! It is not discrimination. Alcohol, while is not the safest if misused, just needs to be stopped 72 hours prior. I would have made a marijuana user quit that also prior to surgery. Your surgeon is trying to do what is in YOUR best interest. A breast reduction should be a positive experience and worst case scenario if you don't quit smoking, you could experience necrosis and lose one or both of your areolas. Good luck.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
August 1, 2018
Answer: Smoking through breast reduction Thanks for your question! It is not discrimination. Alcohol, while is not the safest if misused, just needs to be stopped 72 hours prior. I would have made a marijuana user quit that also prior to surgery. Your surgeon is trying to do what is in YOUR best interest. A breast reduction should be a positive experience and worst case scenario if you don't quit smoking, you could experience necrosis and lose one or both of your areolas. Good luck.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
