General Anaesthesia and vaping

[HazBaz852]

Hi guys, I am totally new to this and really hoping someone can advise.

In just under two weeks I am going under general anaesthetic for a small procedure that will last no more than 30 minutes. I have been vaping since I quit smoking around 5 years ago. I have TOTALLY freaked myself out in thinking that something horrible is going to happen because I vape (never been under GA before). I have spent the past two days cutting back the vape but its proving tricky. Has anyone else had any operations under GA and been a vaper, or would you advise to stop on the run-up to mine?

If it helps, I use a 1.3ml tank with 1.8% e-liquid. I probably get through 1 to 1.5 tanks per day (stress-depending!)

Thank you in advance

 

[bombastinator]

Can’t be any different than if you were a smoker, and smokers get GA all the time. Check with your doc though to make sure

 

[untar]

Don't talk to an internet forum about this. Talk to your anesthetist. Durr.

 

[HazBaz852]

Don't talk to an internet forum about this. Talk to your anesthetist. Durr.

Totally understand - and I will of course do this. However I won't be able to talk to them until the day of the surgery and so was looking for advise from those who have gone through it before.

 

[bombastinator]

Totally understand - and I will of course do this. However I won't be able to talk to them until the day of the surgery and so was looking for advise from those who have gone through it before.

I’ve been thinking Nader GA since I took up vaping. No issues that I know of but I did inform them I was a vaper.

 

[untar]

There's not one general anesthetic that is used every time on every person in the world. What would anybody here know about the drug they will use on you? It's impossible.
Phone them up and get a doc or the anesthetist to speak to you if you have questions, those are the guys who know.

 

[Baditude]

I worked in the OR as a surgical first assistant for nearly 40 years, and worked side by side with more anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists than I can count.

If your surgeon and anesthetist have any knowledge of vaping, your vaping should not be of any concern to them, especially if you nic concentration is under 2 mg nic. But it is always wise to let them know that you do vape, in addition to any prescribed and over-the-counter meds that you take. They will ask you if you smoke. You don't, you vape low nic e-liquid.

If your surgeon and anesthetist are not up to date with vaping, then all bets are off. But these days vaping is quite common place and most surgeons/anesthetists are aware that it doesn't have the same harmful effects that smoking does. I would bring something like this to your pre-surgery screening just in case:

This past June I underwent a 3 hour robotic prostatectomy for an enlarged prostate under general anesthesia. I vaped as I always do right up to entering the hospital for the procedure. The anesthesiologist asked if I smoked in his pre-op interview, and I said I hadn't smoked in seven years but I did vape. He said that was good.

 

[HazBaz852]

I worked in the OR as a surgical first assistant for nearly 40 years, and worked side by side with more anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists than I can count.

If your surgeon and anesthetist have any knowledge of vaping, your vaping should not be of any concern to them, especially if you nic concentration is under 2 mg nic. But it is always wise to let them know that you do vape, in addition to any prescribed and over-the-counter meds that you take. They will ask you if you smoke. You don't, you vape low nic e-liquid.

If your surgeon and anesthetist are not up to date with vaping, then all bets are off. I would bring something like this to your pre-surgery screening:

This is really helpful thank you, I will definitely tell them I vape, and in the run up I will try to limit the intake or go down in my mg% - who knows, might even encourage me to quit full stop...

 

[Skunk!]

The big ones they were concerned about with me was Ibuprofen and alcohol, but that concerned blood platelets. I would stop taking Advil now and stop drinking if you do. As far as the vaping goes I can't advise you. I had a 2.5 hour 3double hernia surgery on the 1st. I vaped and had no issues but every situation's different. Talk to your doctor.

 

[Beamslider]

Have been under GA a couple of times for minor medical procedures. Used to smoke heavily and now vape. It wasn't an issue and no problems because of it.

You will be fine and will be monitored by professionals that know what they are doing. I don't think you need to worry about it but talk to them if you are worried.

 

[puffon]

Nicotine may slow healing.
Not sure I would believe everything on this page, as some articles are old, and seem to be anti and fear mongering.
does nicotine slow healing after surgery - Google Search
Best to ask your doctor.
Been under several times and vaped before and after, with no issues.
I only stay at the Holiday Inn tho...

 

[Baditude]

Nicotine may slow healing.
Not sure I would believe everything on this page, as some articles are old, and seem to be anti and fear mongering.
does nicotine slow healing after surgery - Google Search
Best to ask your doctor.
Been under several times and vaped before and after, with no issues.
I only stay at the Holiday Inn tho...

It's true that nicotine can slow healing, especially for bone and complicated plastic surgery procedures. Some surgeons have a preoperative contract that their patients must sign that they will not smoke or use nicotine products right before or during their postop healing phase to remove any liability or responsibility of failure of the procedure if the patient smokes or uses nicotine products.

I didn't bring this up in my previous post because the OP was undergoing a short half hour procedure, which indicated to me it would not be a bone or complicated plastic surgery case.

 

[Topwater Elvis]

I'm scratching my head,,, I don't see how one would vape if under general anesthesia

 

[Anise]

Hi guys, I am totally new to this and really hoping someone can advise.

In just under two weeks I am going under general anaesthetic for a small procedure that will last no more than 30 minutes. I have been vaping since I quit smoking around 5 years ago. I have TOTALLY freaked myself out in thinking that something horrible is going to happen because I vape (never been under GA before). I have spent the past two days cutting back the vape but its proving tricky. Has anyone else had any operations under GA and been a vaper, or would you advise to stop on the run-up to mine?

If it helps, I use a 1.3ml tank with 1.8% e-liquid. I probably get through 1 to 1.5 tanks per day (stress-depending!)

Thank you in advance

I had a procedure done yesterday under general anesthesia. I didn't change my vaping habits before or after the anesthesia. I just made sure to hold onto my vape a little tighter when I got home

 

[JCinFLA]

I've been under GA for several operations, 2 of which were quite long and 2 that were 30-45 minutes. Well before any of them, I'd informed them if I was a smoker or a vaper.

As a smoker, I was advised to refrain from smoking for at least 1-2 days before my surgery. As a vaper, I was not advised to refrain from vaping at all before my surgery.

Best to always let your doctor know well beforehand, that you vape, and ask if there's any concern with it or instructions that you should follow. We're all different physically, may take various medications, may have different anesthesia, etc. So I wouldn't chance that the instructions/advice would be the same for you...as for someone else.

 

[untar]

I don't see how one would vape if under general anesthesia

You don't strike me as very committed.
Do you even vape, bro?

 

[Vaperer]

I was on the some e kind of anesthesia I don't know what kind but vaping had nothing to do with it. But I would have actually get thrown out of the hospital for vaping. That's why they make bathrooms. But no in my case I had no complications due to vaping good luck to you. Everything's going to be just fine

 

[ppeeble]

Went under GA a couple of months ago. I vaped up until the procedure and within a couple of hours afterwards.
Unfortunately i didn't use the toilet for 3 days after the operation but i'm not sure if that was vape related

 

[h00ligan]

I had two spine surgeries and vaped up to and directly before I went in. I did have to cut way back afterwards due to bone regeneration issues with nicotine but after a few months I went back to “normal”

Ymmv I’m not a doctor.

 

[Hawise]

Nicotine is a stimulant and a vasoconstrictor, so it certainly can interfere with some procedures. It also seems it's not a big deal with others. I've seen pre-surgery recommendations of eliminating nicotine for 2 weeks (that's how long it takes to get it out of your system) and for 24 hours. Ultimately, there are just too many variables for anyone here to be able to give you good advice. I agree with everyone who said you need to contact your doctor/surgeon.

If you're not going to see anyone until just before the procedure, can you contact the facility and ask them to direct you to someone who could help? You might also try contacting your GP. They might not know about the specific procedure, but they should be able to help you find out.

ETA. It might be helpful to ask about nicotine specifically rather than smoking. While I wouldn't recommend lying to medical personal, if someone gets hung up on the vaping you can always (honestly) say you're using a nicotine replacement rather than smoking.