Going to have to give up the Brown Leaf for a while

[Luke49783]

After a referral from my primary care physician, I paid a visit to an ENT earlier this week. I've had allergies and nasal congestion all of my life and even when I'm feeling "fine" I can't breathe through my nose very well (my fiancee playfully calls me a "mouth breather"). After picking up the pipe and trying to exhale through my nose, I realized how bad it was when smoke usually only came out of one nostril.

The ENT confirmed that I've got nasal blockage. After having tried sprays in the past and taking an allergy pill daily with no improvement, the only options are to live with it or have a septoplasty and turbinate reduction surgery. I'm opting for the surgery.

Unfortunately, this means I'm going to have to give up tobacco for two weeks pre-op and two weeks post-op. To make it even more of a bummer, my surgery is scheduled for January 10th of next year, so I'll have to stop smoking/snuffing/snusing right after BL Secret Santa. Big bummer there!

Has anyone else here in the BL had nasal surgery? How long did you wait after surgery to pick up the pipe again? I figure two weeks after will be good for the pipe, but snuffing is probably going to wait a bit longer than that. On the upside, snuffing will be MUCH easier after everything is healed and I can move air through my nose.

 

[the_edski]

Luke,

I wish you a quick recovery and better breathing after this surgery! Health is more important than smoking pleasure.

 

[Luke49783]

Luke,

I wish you a quick recovery and better breathing after this surgery! Health is more important than smoking pleasure.

Thanks Ed! The first pipe after surgery will be an enjoyable one for sure!

 

[Freebirth]

It's four weeks, man. Think of it as an anticipation break. Good luck on the surgery and recovery. And savor the last and first pipe.

 

[joamo]

I've had the septoplasty and several polypectomies and image guided polypectomies. The recoveries were all relatively easy with only minor headaches after a few days.
I didn't smoke at those times, though I would think the 2 weeks should be ok for the pipe. I wouldn't do the snuff without discussing it with your ENT and if you do snuff, you may want to consider a daily sinus rinse.
On the upside, you may have a better sense of smell post surgery and enjoy the pipe even more.
Good luck and let us know how every things works out for you.

 

[Luke49783]

On the upside, you may have a better sense of smell post surgery and enjoy the pipe even more.

That's what I was thinking yesterday! Yet another reason going through the surgery will be well worth it.

 

[Commander Quan]

Maybe you'll be able to blow a smoke ring out each nostril when your done. That would be worth it to me.

 

[Argonaut]

Good luck and a speedy recovery!

 

[JVasky]

I want to say good luck, and have a quick and comfortable recovery. Also as others have said, it may make smoking even more of a pleasure. Who knew that could be possible?!

 

[Prof. Moriarty]

Good luck with the surgery!

 

[Hunter]

Good Luck!

 

[Whiskey Badger]

Hope your recovery process is fast and painless as possible!

 

[Bk124tt]

Good luck & get well soon!!!

 

[Knightsrest]

Had the surgery and my Doc made me wait 4 weeks for cigars. Good luck with everything.

 

[Luke49783]

Had the surgery and my Doc made me wait 4 weeks for cigars. Good luck with everything.

The more I think about it, that's probably what I'll do. I think I'm just going to kick everything tobacco related this weekend so that I don't end up with complications during or after surgery.

Did the surgery make a difference for you?

 

[Knightsrest]

The more I think about it, that's probably what I'll do. I think I'm just going to kick everything tobacco related this weekend so that I don't end up with complications during or after surgery.

Did the surgery make a difference for you?

Yes if you believe my wife I snore less and was taken off a nasal spray.

Drew

 

[August West]

Heal up and light up if and when you are ready.

 

[tlag77]

Good luck Luke!

 

[Luke49783]

Thanks for the well wishes, guys!

Not having had surgery before, I'm wondering how long before my operation date I should give up the pipe so as not to run the risk of complications. Obviously this is something that I need to discuss with my doctor, which I intend to do.

Prior to today, I smoked cigarettes, smoked a pipe, used snus and nasal snuff with some regularity. As of today, I'm done with cigarettes, which I needed to be anyway. Cutting those out now will give me 8-9 weeks without them before my surgery. I'm wondering if I should hold off on the pipe starting now as well. I'm not an inhaler, so that's on my side. The big issue with cigarettes and surgery seems to be the CO and other chemicals getting into the lungs. This seems like it should be less of an issue with the pipe.

I don't know if anyone on here is a doctor, but personal experiences would be great to hear.

 

[the_edski]

Luke,

If you think you should stop now, then go ahead and stop now. Can't hurt.