Mitral valve replacement

[Tolla123]

Hi, does anyone here still smoke after having a mitral valve replacement?

[Hidden]

Try this...

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

[Tolla123 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. I haven’t smoked since having my surgery in April but I’ve been feeling like smoking again for some stupid reason !!! Reading that has put me off though !!

[Hanibil]

Why bother having the surgery and then smoke, I hope nobody does.

[Tolla123 in reply to Hanibil]

I actually had no idea I was having surgery. I went into Bath hospital feeling generally unwell. Put it down to my Crohns , found out my bone marrow stopped working. Then next I knew I’d woken up from a coma in Bristol having had mitral valve replacement. Smoking has been my crutch when I can barely eat or drink it was one bit of ‘ pleasure’ that I had. Might sound stupid to some people but it helped me get through my daily struggle. Obviously I haven’t smoked since my surgery but it does still pop in my head. Especially when I’m sat unable to eat or drink and in pain !

[Hanibil in reply to Tolla123]

I completely understand I gave up smoking in 2005 just before my operation, but it took me over a year to get the thought of have a smoke out of my mind.

[Larneybuds]

Good morning....This is just my opinion.....please don't get tempted by smoking again....even if you have one to try and satisfy your craving it will most probably lead to more. Give your heart and yourself time to start enjoying your new normal.....smoking again is a downhill slope for your heart and health. I used to smoke....stopped 3 years ago and am so glad or my heart problems would have been considerably worse. As I said.....just my opinion and I am sure there will be some who will say an odd cig will be ok. It's your choice obviously. Take care xx

[Leonardo1]

my theory is - those surgeons and cardiologist s have worked, studied and given you their skills to save you - don’t sabotage their work by smoking . We all know it is just so unhealthy !

Nicotine is highly addictive - get help , get support but don’t go back to it don’t undo all their hard work they gave you .

Good luck

[Becksagogo]

No. I gave up 4 years ago and it's the best thing I ever did.

[Wooodsie]

It is really hard Tolla123. But try not to. My friend and I, who have both had heart issues, both say that if we were diagnosed as terminal, we would start again in a shot. So I absolutely understand how you are feeling. Just try.... Good luck 😊

[Tolla123 in reply to Wooodsie]

Thank you Woodsie for your very understanding message. It’s so good to hear it’s not just me !!!!! I am trying not to , I’ll have to carry on being snappy for now !!!!!!

[Victorwhisky]

Sorry but you owe the people and resource that have gone into SAVING YOUR LIFE, to not smoke. Addiction is a difficult thing but you should do your bit to make all that effort worth while. Good luck.

[Sevenyearsw]

No I have not. And anyone who does is an idiot.

[Tolla123 in reply to Sevenyearsw]

Gosh - your a kind supportive person !!!!

[ParrotLover22]

Hi. I used to smoke about 10 a day but since my Mitral and Aortic Replacement Bypass, I have not smoked at all. Main reason being, I was in Hospital for 6 Weeks and just couldn't!! Afterwards when I came out, I felt I wanted to but it would have been very unfair to the Surgeon and Staff who cared for me! I have got over all that now and it doesn't bother me at all, not even it someone smokes around me!! I am so glad I stopped and just wish I had stopped years ago. Best of Luck 🤞

[Zbignieva]

Hi, I am so sorry you are struggling with Crohn’s, heart disease and addiction, it’s a tough combination.

Smoking is very addictive but people can quit.

I would suggest you use every resource available to you, there are drugs, as well as behaviour modification, nicotine replacement, that Alan Carr book on stop smoking.

See your GP and ask for what you think you might need, this is what is recommended by NICE.

nice.org.uk/guidance/ng209/...

[nursenancy53]

I stopped smoking 4 years ago, 3 months before my AVR. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that it's a rare day even now that I don't think about having a smoke but I know all it would take would be one and I'd soon be back to a 10 a day habit! Good luck with staying stopped, just take it hour by hour

[Heather1957]

I have never had a MVR but have had bypass surgery. I quit smoking back in 2003 and luckily I didn't find it too hard.

It must be very very hard for you to stop smoking but as others have said get some help as going cold turkey is more likely to lead to you starting again, there is gum, patches, acupuncture try them all first.

You know that smoking is bad for you so I wish you all the best and hope you manage to quite for good!

[Swalecliffe88]

Oh I so agree with Woodside. I was very lucky leaving the hospital with the terrifying news of needing by pass surgery after my angiogram. I went to light a cigarette and felt totally sick. Have never craved or thought about smoking since that day and I was a heavy smoker. But I can so totally understand the absolute struggle it is for most people. Please try not to give in and start again if you can possibly help it. I know that is so easy to say and so hard to do. But please, before reaching for the packet take one moment and ask your do I really really want this ? I know I can go without it, I have proved that. By then the want will hopefully have past.