Refusal to Operate Due to Being a Smoker

1. lynnesmith 8 May 2012 at 14:43PM
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   I was at the Orthaepedics this morning regarding Bunion Operative Surgery and was advised that I would not be allowed the operation as I am a smoker and has told me to stop smoking before they will consider operating. I have already waited 1 year to get to this stage and to be honest don't really want to stop smoking in order to have an operation. I will stop smoking but when I am ready to stop not because someone tells me to. Can the NHS discriminate people like this? Your thoughts would be appreciated.

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2. H o u s e 8 May 2012 at 16:06PM

   Unfortunately this is becoming quite common

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3. amyjean 3 July 2012 at 14:55PM

   Hi, what you can do is go into PALS there is one in every hospital or most. tell them your problem and they will inform you what your rights are. Good luck

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4. Tinarjs 28 August 2012 at 20:49PM

   Hi Lynne as I understand it if your smoking it can limit the healing/skin repair, but it can also cause problems under the anaesthetic. Why would any surgeon operate on someone whose recovery might be hampered by some other influence, when they can operate on someone who is willing to do what it takes to make the best recovery? Sorry if that sounded harsh, but surely you could manage to give up for a few months before and after the op. or if that is too difficult maybe cut down? Yes I am a none smoker but I do know how hard it

   is to break an addiction - chocolate and diet coke for me, oh and sugar. And yes when it comes time for me to have another op I will have to loose weight.

   Good luck giving up the cigarettes Tina

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5. lynnesmith 29 August 2012 at 08:16AM

   Thanks for all comments. I had the operation 4 weeks ago and had no problems wtith anaesthetic and no issues with infection/healing. In fact the surgeon can't believe how good my operation went and how well my scars are healing. AND yes i didn't pack the fags in. At the end of the day being a smoker should not limit getting an operation on your bunion or to be honest anywhere. I could understand if I needed a spare lung as I have damaged my own. We all know the risks whether you smoke or not of the anaesthetic and healing. Lynne

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6. Gerry the neck 29 August 2012 at 09:57AM

   Seems to me that those in the medical professions, who just happen to be lucky enough to be non-smokers, consider it their duty to try and force smokers to quit. They don't understand its not that easy, but they still use their position and their powers to block access to treatments as a threat. I've encountered this at dentists many times. 20 years ago this would never have been allowed on any level. It causes added distress and no self respecting professional should employ these methods. I understand that their intention may be a good one, but how they try to enforce it is wrong. Fullstop.

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