Doctors giving you a hard time about smoking

[Tenor CS]

Many of you know I had surgery today. When the anesthesiologist came in to talk to me, one of his questions was "Do you smoke?"

I answered, "Yeah, I smoke an occasional cigar, maybe 1-3 per week."

His reply: "Oh, come on man!" Followed by reading me the riot act and calling cigars "death sticks."

Granted, I am grossly overweight, and I have high blood pressure. But my General Practitioner (the one who put me on the high blood pressure meds) is perfectly ok with it, my brother in law is an emergency room doctor and a fellow BOTL, and one of my colleagues at work is an MD and agrees that the occasional cigar will not likely do me any major harm.

So, have any of you other guys or gals been given a hard time by your doctor(s) re: your smoking?

[KidRock]

Christian,

I'm not sure what to say on this but I'm glad your surgery went relatively well.

[Starscream]

I'm glad your surgery went relatively well.

:tpd:

No hassle here. Glad to hear everythings o.k. though.

[TripleF]

It's the way society is today. they've been brain-washed that a tobacco is B-A-D for you. They don't actually think for themselves, they just react in a "all tobacco types are bad for you" rmentality.

Sorry you bumped into this loser.

Glad the surgery went well! Have a smoke to celebrate bro!! :ss

[RottenZombie]

My Doctor told me that an occasional cigar was not a problem.

[hotreds]

Hmmm..... I guess that a guy about to put you under is not someone you argue with!

I hope indeed that all went well for you, and I think that unless one is an anti-smoking crusader it's generally thought(and studies seem to bear this out) that even up to two cigars a day(not inhaled) will likely not have a negative impact on your health. My doctor told me that a couple a week should be no problem, altho I'm now up to one a day- so we'll see what he says when I mention this to him in April when I have my AP.

[DPD6030]

When I had surgery on my wrist it was preached that I don't smoke as apparently it constricts the blood vessels and makes healing longer. Good point so I cut back with the cold. When it warms up watch out! :ss

[NCRadioMan]

My doc smokes a pipe. :pi

When I had surgery a few years ago, I told the anesthesiologist that I smoked at least one cigar a day and he didn't say a word.

Also, some of our best customers at the shop are anesthesiologists. :r

[Darrell]

The same thing happened to me when I had my appendectomy.

I'm glad your surgery went well.

[hotreds]

Granted, I am grossly overweight,

Hey- you're a tenor. That's a prerequisite!

http://cache.eb.com/eb/image?id=67641&rendTypeId=4

[Tenor CS]

Hey- you're a tenor. That's a prerequisite!

http://cache.eb.com/eb/image?id=67641&rendTypeId=4

Ah, one of my idols. Rest in Peace, Luciano.

[Cyanide]

As a GP, I have reviewed the evidence. It seems that the natural cut-off for ill effects vs lung and heart diseases is at about 1 cigar a day. Above that and you are accumulating risk. At or below that then you won't be increasing your risk in any great statistical fashion. The exception to that is larynx (a part of the throat) cancer (even many of the other head and neck cancers obey the 1/day rule). For some reason, any cigar smoking does increase your risk.

The assumptions are: you don't inhale. Other precautions I would include would be don't swallow your saliva while smoking (the researchers theorize that swallowing contaminated saliva may lead to this unavoidable risk, I find this precaution easy to follow, because frequent mouth rinsing does seem to improve the flavour of even the best tastiest cigars). Another modifier to the risk profile is whether you have ever been a smoker before; this may be because of previous accumulated risks "re-awakening" or may have to do with the whole inhaling thing again.

So, make no mistake, we are increasing our risks by using tobacco products. However, the amount of risk and the risk-to-benefit ratio that comes with choosing to do things you enjoy are probably leaning in your favour to have an enjoyable life. Someone on this board will die because of their cigar habit, but its not likely to be you (statistically :) )

That all said, if I had surgery, I would hold off on the cigars for the time being. Something about tobacco does tend to slow the healing process. The last thing I want is poor healing after a surgery. Thus, in that circumstance I would lean to the side of caution. Once the surgery is completely behind me, then I would breathe a sigh of relief and then promptly inhale a stogie of relief.

Cheers

Cyanide

[Tenor CS]

Cyanide, thank you for your post. I really appreciate your input, especially given your qualifications. Your statements are based in science, truthfully acknowledging the risks, without being over-the-top. Thank you.

PS I will be laying off the smokes for a while, especially while taking Toradol and Vicodin for the pain.

[gnukfu]

Told my doctor I smoked cigars and he said, "Ah ha I finally found something wrong with you" then he laughed....he didn't really care.

[Cigargal]

I had a nurse at the doctor's office go off on me once about smoking cigars but my doctor said in moderation it was okay...That was when I smoked one a week. Now I smoke three per week. When I had surgery last fall they didn't even asked me if I smoked. After surgery it was a month before I even felt like smoking a cigar.

I figure that something is going to kill me someday...it might as well be something that I enjoy and has brought me pleasure in my life. I drink moderately and smoke moderately, but on the other hand, I do not skydive, bungie jump, deep sea dive, climb mountains, spelunk, surf, or live in Kansas so I think I have evened out the odds.

[Darrell]

Tell them you smoke cigars once a week, but smoke hash everyday. I bet they change their opinion on cigar smoking. :r

[papajohn67]

My VA Doc who I have had for 25 years gave me the :tu to smoke a cigar when I feel like it as long as I don't go crazy. Her attitude is that since I'm 60 + and even with a number of health issue's a person needs to have something they enjoy in life. Anyway it's "For The Children".

[Blueface]

So, have any of you other guys or gals been given a hard time by your doctor(s) re: your smoking?

:r:r:r
I laugh because my doctor loves for me to go see him.
I always bring him a handful of forbidden land cigars and he smiles like a kid the rest of the day.
He particularly loves when I go on a Friday, as he golfs on Saturday.
So......from my doc? Never.
Change doctors.:r

[Raralith]

I asked my doctor and he said it certainly wasn't healthy, and I think we can all agree upon that. We are lighting in tabacoo which has nicotine which isn't good for you, and combusting any plant creates tar. But the relaxation, comrodory, good times, and great taste of the cigar outweigh that.

[Tenor CS]

Blueface, next time you make it up to Disney World, or I go back home to South FL, we must meet up for a smoke and drink. My wife's older sister lives in Wellington.

[Tenor CS]

But the relaxation, camaraderie, good times, and great taste of the cigar outweigh that.

My blood pressure is actually LOWER after smoking a cigar. I attribute that to the fact that I just gave myself an hour-plus of no-stress "me time."

[Mugen910]

Christian glad you are ok and back on the boards...

I haven't encountered that situation of my Dr. giving me a hard time but one of my close friends is a MD and he loves it when I bring sticks around...If my reg physician said anything then I'd just pull the old "I'm in better shape than you" thing..

George Burns and Winston Churchill lived past 80...they smoked cigars every day didn't they?

[Tenor CS]

George Burns and Winston Churchill lived past 80...they smoked cigars every day didn't they?

To make it even more cigar-related, Arturo Fuente Sr. lived a good long life, and Avo Uvezian is turning 83 this year and STILL WORKING!

[Mugen910]

To make it even more cigar-related, Arturo Fuente Sr. lived a good long life, and Avo Uvezian is turning 83 this year and STILL WORKING!

isn't the head honcho of the Robania family still alive and kicking and in his 80s?

[Darrell]

isn't the head honcho of the Robania family still alive and kicking and in his 80s?

Yes, Don Alejandro Robaina is alive and kicking.

http://www.finestcubancigars.com.tw/cms_img//Robaina_bg.jpg

I believe he is 89, nearly 90. :2

[hotreds]

George Burns and Winston Churchill lived past 80...they smoked cigars every day didn't they?

At least. Winston was a chain cigar smoker. Bottom line, heredity plays a more important part in things than just about anything else!

[Cigary]

I chalk it up to quality of life,,,there is enough illness and disease around and if smoking a cigar a few times a week is going to end your life chances are you were prone to illness or disease in the first place and having a cigar on top of that is probably not a good idea. For those of us who are in good enough shape and we enjoy it it becomes a matter of choice and for me I'd rather have a cigar and relax than to sit around and be anxious and have my BP shoot up about 30 points. Each person has to evaluate what is best for them.

[Whee]

My blood pressure is actually LOWER after smoking a cigar. I attribute that to the fact that I just gave myself an hour-plus of no-stress "me time."

This has actually happened for me. When I was able to smoke, after work, for about 90 minutes on my front porch, my BP actually went down a notch.

Doc wasn;t exactly thrilled, but decided the BP was going to get me before the smoking, so it was a win win for me.:dance:

[Catfish]

And remember even doctors are people with their own personal bias influenced, pre-conceived notions on subjects, right or wrong. On more subjects than we want to know about, doctor's opinions are just that: opinions.

[floydpink]

Many of you know I had surgery today. When the anesthesiologist came in to talk to me, one of his questions was "Do you smoke?"

I answered, "Yeah, I smoke an occasional cigar, maybe 1-3 per week."

His reply: "Oh, come on man!" Followed by reading me the riot act and calling cigars "death sticks."

Granted, I am grossly overweight, and I have high blood pressure. But my General Practitioner (the one who put me on the high blood pressure meds) is perfectly ok with it, my brother in law is an emergency room doctor and a fellow BOTL, and one of my colleagues at work is an MD and agrees that the occasional cigar will not likely do me any major harm.

So, have any of you other guys or gals been given a hard time by your doctor(s) re: your smoking?

Dude, you live very close to my doctor who is a chemical engineer, biologist, and a lot of things I can't remember, but also a wild game hunter with trophies on his wall from all over the world.

Most importantly, he grew up in Havana, has a love for cigars, and will tell you the risk involved compared to the relaxation factor many achieve, isn't worth talking about. He absolutely hates cigarettes though and got me to quit.

Basically, if you're not inhalling, there are risks, but not nearly as bad as many other things. Look at George Burns....

[DocLogic77]

Most physicians educated on the studies done on cigar smoking realize that moderate (less than 2 cigars a day) has very little effect on overall health. Even the ACS (American Cancer Society) who has every reason to trash cigar smoking says health effects of occasional cigar smoking are not known. Their statement isn't completely honest. I wrote up a pretty extensive review on the health effects of cigar smoking awhile back. I'll see if I can dig it up.

[RGD.]

As a GP . . . Cyanide


:r:r:r:r:r:


Sorry - Now that is funny right there.


Ron

[RGD.]

:r:r:r
I laugh because my doctor loves for me to go see him.
I always bring him a handful of forbidden land cigars and he smiles like a kid the rest of the day.
He particularly loves when I go on a Friday, as he golfs on Saturday.
So......from my doc? Never.
Change doctors.:r


Yeah -

I gave my Doc a handful of smokes after my surgery - and gave his PA a five pack for her boyfriend. I waited until after the surgery - just in case it didn't work out - which as some of you know, damn near didn't. :ss

Look - damn near everyone in the medical field is trained to give you crap about smoking. So what - smile, nod your head and carry on.


Ron

[Old Sailor]

Mine tells me to quite, then just laughs. :r

[Hawk6815]

As a MEDEVAC Pilot, I get a thorough physical every year. When the Doctors ask if I smoke, I tell them 3-5 sticks a week. They usually laugh and ask me which cigars are my favorite, and do I have any recommendations for them.

One of my doctors told me the following once. "Something will kill us one day. You can maybe die a year or two early because of cigars, or spend the rest of your life missing them."

Will

[Stonewall]

I have smoked cigarettes for years and have been trying to quit. I have cut back drastically I told my doctor that I have cut back on cigarettes but have been smocking cigars more and she still threw a hissy fit no winning with them. Anti smoking Nazi thats all I have to say!!
Josh

[DocLogic77]

I haven't run through the research in awhile but the National Cancer Institute published...Monograph number 9, Cigars, Health Effects and Trends in February, 1998. For smokers who limit their cigars to 1-2 a day...the risks are small and difficult to interpret. Lets also keep in mind many studies that have shown cigars to be harmful usually have alcohol as a cofactor. The studies overwhelmingly show that moderate cigar smoking has very little risk to overall health.

[Lucky_Hippo]

Glad to hear you're doing better.

I always find it amusing when a doctor, nurse, emt, goes into the riot act about smoking. All those years of medical school and they come out sounding like an afterschool special. I mean how do they expect you to react? "WOW, I had no idea smoking was bad for you. Thanks Dr. Obvious, you saved my life."


True story: A good friend of mine who's a kidney specialist smokes cigars and eats red meat but won't drink tap water because of the contaminates. :r

[troutbreath]

Glad the surgery went well. Perhaps your anesthesiologists was worried because he works with gasses -- could be a fear of flames.

[croatan]

I had surgery on Thursday. Was asked by about six different doctors whether I smoke. I answered: "cigars" to each and every one. None of them said another word about it. Now, I didn't volunteer that I had had three the night before the surgery, including a RyJ Cazadore at midnight that was just a nicotine bomb, but they didn't ask about that ;).

By the way, I have now gone over 48 hours without a cigar. I think it's time to get back on that smoking wagon :D

[Waynegro1]

It really frustrates me that a man about to put you under the knife felt the need to "preach" to you about cigar smoking. As if you didn't have enough on your mind as it was. The most he should of said concerning cigars would be that nicotine may slow down the healing process due to white cell count etc. This is not a time to change a persons habits with scare tactics.

Leave it to some holier than thou delicate genius to use this tact. When I had my back surgery a few weeks ago I didn't mention the cigar smoking. I did however mention that I had a few (or more) drinks of Jameson a week. It's funny how they never preach to a person about drinking, but God forbid you light up a premium cigar once in a while.

When I was an (uneducated) young fella I used tell my pop not to smoke cigars because my teacher said they were bad for him and they will end up killing him. He would say "How willa I get ta heaven ifa I don'ta die-a" in very broken Italian English.

I'm very glad your surgery went well, Christian. Get well soon and prayers going out for a speedy recovery.

Here is some interesting reading concerning this topic:

http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Cigar_Journal/Cigar_Science/Entries/2007/10/24_The_Critical_Difference%3A_Premium_Cigars_vs_Ci garettes.html

[kaisersozei]

Ironic

that an anesthesiologist

who makes his living by injecting into peoples' bodies

all sorts of

manufactured, mind-altering, legal but arguably lethal substances,

was giving you a hard time about enjoying the occasional

organic, mind-altering, legal but arguably lethal substance.

:rolleyes: (he must have taken the Hypocritical Oath...)

Glad the surgery went well!

[mash]

Obviously, we're big time cigar enthusiasts here, some of us are physicians too. I totally understand that no one likes to be told what they should do, but some of the criticism here makes no sense to me. The guy is aware of a health hazard, and he feels it's his job to try and modify your behaviour by letting you know. That anesthesiologist has likely seen hundreds of people on his table that are there because they have smoked.
To attribute other motives to what he is doing, calling him a hypocrite, comparing general anesthetic agents to tobacco etc. is just dumb. You don't want to listen to the guy, no worries. All of us lead our own lives. He's done his job.

[Scottw]

Tell them you smoke cigars once a week, but smoke hash everyday. I bet they change their opinion on cigar smoking. :r

My doctor knows about my hefty consumption of both as hasn't bugged me yet.

[floydpink]

To make it even more cigar-related, Arturo Fuente Sr. lived a good long life, and Avo Uvezian is turning 83 this year and STILL WORKING!

Avo is still a pimp at 83. I wish I could be like a ramora and feed off his scraps. You ever see the girls around him at Corona?

I went for my annual skin cancer screening, living here in Fla and all, and as I turned into the parking lot, the whole side of the building was nurses puffing cigarretes.

I shook my head as I pulled away, slightly burning from the basal cells frozen off my lilly white forehead.

[Tenor CS]

Avo is still a pimp at 83. I wish I could be like a ramora and feed off his scraps. You ever see the girls around him at Corona?

Last month, I met up with Aldrin, Wayne, Kevin and Andrew for an impromtu Corona herf. Avo popped in for a second and had some super hot babes with him. Somehow, he left with more!

He was very gracious and posed for pics with some people. He looks to be a very spry 83 years old.

[floydpink]

I think the alligator skin humidor turns the ladies on....

[Tenor CS]

Obviously, we're big time cigar enthusiasts here, some of us are physicians too. I totally understand that no one likes to be told what they should do, but some of the criticism here makes no sense to me. The guy is aware of a health hazard, and he feels it's his job to try and modify your behaviour by letting you know. That anesthesiologist has likely seen hundreds of people on his table that are there because they have smoked.
To attribute other motives to what he is doing, calling him a hypocrite, comparing general anesthetic agents to tobacco etc. is just dumb. You don't want to listen to the guy, no worries. All of us lead our own lives. He's done his job.

I thought my OP was pretty respectful, if a little upset. I also see no need to resort to name calling and personal attacks on the anesthesiologist. Really, all I wanted was to hear other stories about other BOTL who may or may not have had a doctor give them a hard time about smoking, in various situations.

PS I know your post wasn't really directed at me. I actually agree with most of what you said in your post.

[kaisersozei]

That anesthesiologist has likely seen hundreds of people on his table that are there because they have smoked.

Perhaps, but... smoked cigars? Doubtful.

To attribute other motives to what he is doing, calling him a hypocrite, comparing general anesthetic agents to tobacco etc. is just dumb.

I said it was ironic.

It's not the anesthesiologist's job to try modifying the patient's behavior immediately before surgery. His job is to make sure the patient goes under & wakes up. If cigar smoking has a bearing on that, then certainly he has a need to know. But it doesn't sound like the lecture was necessary, as Waynegro1 points out. :2

[Tenor CS]

I think the alligator skin humidor turns the ladies on....

You know he killed that alligator himself, right? With his bare hands? That was during his 80th birthday.

[karmaz00]

glad things are ok

[mash]

I thought my OP was pretty respectful, if a little upset. I also see no need to resort to name calling and personal attacks on the anesthesiologist. Really, all I wanted was to hear other stories about other BOTL who may or may not have had a doctor give them a hard time about smoking, in various situations.

PS I know your post wasn't really directed at me. I actually agree with most of what you said in your post.

It was, the issue wasn't with your post at all.

[shilala]

The way I figure is that cigars relax me.
Killing someone is going to be far worse for my human development than any cigar could possibly be.

[Cyanide]

As many will correctly presume, I am on Mash's side.

What you may not realize is that, many things are occurring during an interaction with a doctor; many more things than you are aware of. They are assessing risks, doing statistical calculation, assessing what complications can be expected, what information should be gathered up front to make decision making easier/better/quicker when the possible complication does occur etc. But, also deciding what counselling to do at that time. Anesthesiologists can be pretty busy; many times their current interaction with you may be the last conscious/competent interaction you have with them (they will probably talk to you after you wake up, but amazingly most people completely forget this interaction). So, they have to guage what the chances are that you are "falling through the cracks" with getting appropriate counselling from other sources. And, with all doctors getting more and more pressured to work faster, alot IS falling through the cracks. Any time a doctor doesn't give you a hard time about smoking, might not be because they think it is fine, or they understand the APPARENT differences between cigarettes and cigars. It is probably as likely they just "can't be bothered" either because they are too busy, they don't think it is likely to result in you changing etc. Since they have limitted time and think they may never see you again, "scare tactics" might just be a way to make the greatest impact with the hopes that this impact continues. While this has not been proven effective, docs are human too and will jump at these options just like any other person who feels they have to get the "point across right here, right now" (how many times have parents here found themselves being more stern with their children just to get the point across eg:"child wanders away from parent at mall, but comes back when parent is starting to call out in a panic", "child steps out onto road of an otherwise vacant street but then gets heavily scolded" etc). If the doc didn't care, you wouldn't have gotten any grief at all.

But, I don't think they called you any names. "Leave it to some holier than thou delicate genius"; that's just simply an ad hominim attack for no good purpose.

Lastly, you probably won't find many doctors versed in the risks of cigars and how they differ from the risk of cigarettes. The only "specialists" of tobacco subtypes in the physician world are those docs that do have the occassional cigar and have gone out seeking the information in order to justify that its not going to harm them more than they are willing to accept. The rest of the physician population will be "generalists" in that information. Thus, they will know the risks of cigarettes, by far the MOST common form of tobacco consumption. Erring on the side of caution, they will lump cigars in with cigarettes. It seems the more reasonable/ less dangerous approach for the generalist.

Imagine a generalist deciding whether you need surgery for your prostate cancer, or whether it is safe just to "wait and watch" that cancer....you would probably want them to err on the side of caution and send you to the specialist who could cut it out.

But, I just got done a 24 hour shift and need to sleep. If the above rant seems meandering and deluded....just imagine how my last patient felt like 2 hours ago. ;)

Finally; "manufactured, mind-altering, legal but arguably lethal substances,"...the way you use it is nothing more than scare tactics as well. So now who's taking the hypocritic oath? Of course you realize that the use of those substances is to allow the surgeon to do what could never be done without those drugs...cut deep into your body, alter the anatomy in a controlled and skillful fashion and then get out without putting you through easily the worst pain in your life. Of course these drugs can kill you, that's why the anesthesiologist has to decide which exact concoction to use for you, control it every step of the way, know how long (to the minute sometimes) each drug will take effect, know what subtle signs your body gives that things are going wrong, and how to pull you from the brink of death if they do go wrong. That's whay it takes 9 years to become a fully trained (yet still green at that point!) anesthesiologist.

There is nothing delicate about a 36 hour shift either.


Cheers

Please take my comments with a grain of salt. I sound aggressive in digital, but I assure you I would smile and shake your hand even after this exchange


Cyanide (I know, ain't it just a deliciously ironic monicer)

[14holestogie]

Regardless of which side you're on, any medical personell who doesn't counsel tobacco users about the risks are not doing their job. You still have the choice to listen or not, but that is, after all, their job. :2

[Nimbus]

I had my physical a few months ago and I told my doctor that I occasionally smoke cigars and he did said that is fine. :ss :ze Everything in moderation is ok.

[mosesbotbol]

You have lie lie lie about smoking and drinking with your primary. You don't want that on your medical record as it will come back to haunt you when you want life insurance.

My neighbors are in medical claims and recommended this to me. "Don't drink, Don't smoke" has to be your mantra when getting a physical.

[Cyanide]

Ya, once again....in the case of cigars, everything in informed moderation is OK. You just need to know where the line lays vs the risk you want to take. And, with cigar smoking there IS a line for "minimal risk" that still involves some useage.

For completeness, the line of "minimal risk" has not been defined for cigarettes though. Recent studies show that even 4 cigarettes a day still noticibly increases your risk for heart disease. Remember, that's cigarettes.

Cheers out

[DocLogic77]

As many will correctly presume, I am on Mash's side.

What you may not realize is that, many things are occurring during an interaction with a doctor; many more things than you are aware of. They are assessing risks, doing statistical calculation, assessing what complications can be expected, what information should be gathered up front to make decision making easier/better/quicker when the possible complication does occur etc. But, also deciding what counselling to do at that time. Anesthesiologists can be pretty busy; many times their current interaction with you may be the last conscious/competent interaction you have with them (they will probably talk to you after you wake up, but amazingly most people completely forget this interaction). So, they have to guage what the chances are that you are "falling through the cracks" with getting appropriate counselling from other sources. And, with all doctors getting more and more pressured to work faster, alot IS falling through the cracks. Any time a doctor doesn't give you a hard time about smoking, might not be because they think it is fine, or they understand the APPARENT differences between cigarettes and cigars. It is probably as likely they just "can't be bothered" either because they are too busy, they don't think it is likely to result in you changing etc. Since they have limitted time and think they may never see you again, "scare tactics" might just be a way to make the greatest impact with the hopes that this impact continues. While this has not been proven effective, docs are human too and will jump at these options just like any other person who feels they have to get the "point across right here, right now" (how many times have parents here found themselves being more stern with their children just to get the point across eg:"child wanders away from parent at mall, but comes back when parent is starting to call out in a panic", "child steps out onto road of an otherwise vacant street but then gets heavily scolded" etc). If the doc didn't care, you wouldn't have gotten any grief at all.

But, I don't think they called you any names. "Leave it to some holier than thou delicate genius"; that's just simply an ad hominim attack for no good purpose.

Lastly, you probably won't find many doctors versed in the risks of cigars and how they differ from the risk of cigarettes. The only "specialists" of tobacco subtypes in the physician world are those docs that do have the occassional cigar and have gone out seeking the information in order to justify that its not going to harm them more than they are willing to accept. The rest of the physician population will be "generalists" in that information. Thus, they will know the risks of cigarettes, by far the MOST common form of tobacco consumption. Erring on the side of caution, they will lump cigars in with cigarettes. It seems the more reasonable/ less dangerous approach for the generalist.

Imagine a generalist deciding whether you need surgery for your prostate cancer, or whether it is safe just to "wait and watch" that cancer....you would probably want them to err on the side of caution and send you to the specialist who could cut it out.

But, I just got done a 24 hour shift and need to sleep. If the above rant seems meandering and deluded....just imagine how my last patient felt like 2 hours ago. ;)

Finally; "manufactured, mind-altering, legal but arguably lethal substances,"...the way you use it is nothing more than scare tactics as well. So now who's taking the hypocritic oath? Of course you realize that the use of those substances is to allow the surgeon to do what could never be done without those drugs...cut deep into your body, alter the anatomy in a controlled and skillful fashion and then get out without putting you through easily the worst pain in your life. Of course these drugs can kill you, that's why the anesthesiologist has to decide which exact concoction to use for you, control it every step of the way, know how long (to the minute sometimes) each drug will take effect, know what subtle signs your body gives that things are going wrong, and how to pull you from the brink of death if they do go wrong. That's whay it takes 9 years to become a fully trained (yet still green at that point!) anesthesiologist.

There is nothing delicate about a 36 hour shift either.


Cheers

Please take my comments with a grain of salt. I sound aggressive in digital, but I assure you I would smile and shake your hand even after this exchange


Cyanide (I know, ain't it just a deliciously ironic monicer)

Excellent post John...and I couldn't agree more. :)

[shilala]

I always like to read these debates.
With me it always gets tempered by the fact that life is progressive and fatal.
Odds are real good that I can be fat, smoke, drink, fight, eat bad things, and survive to a ripe old age. My family has done it for generations.
None of us eat sweet potatoes though. They make me gag just to think about them. As far as I know, I might be one sweet potatoe away from imminent death. It's probably my kryptonite.
"Carpe Diem" is the only defense I can muster. :)
If I'm lucky, I'll go out with a JJ maduro in my hand and a smile on my face.

[BlackIrish]

Many of you know I had surgery today. When the anesthesiologist came in to talk to me, one of his questions was "Do you smoke?"

I answered, "Yeah, I smoke an occasional cigar, maybe 1-3 per week."

His reply: "Oh, come on man!" Followed by reading me the riot act and calling cigars "death sticks."

Granted, I am grossly overweight, and I have high blood pressure. But my General Practitioner (the one who put me on the high blood pressure meds) is perfectly ok with it, my brother in law is an emergency room doctor and a fellow BOTL, and one of my colleagues at work is an MD and agrees that the occasional cigar will not likely do me any major harm.

So, have any of you other guys or gals been given a hard time by your doctor(s) re: your smoking?

Glad you're ok, Christian, and sending thoughts for a speedy recovery.

I'm wondering: do you get grief from the opera community about your cigars and whatever effects they might have on your vocal cords?

[macpappy]

Humans are the only animals on earth concerned with circumventing what nature and God intended. That we are born, we live and then we die. While there are instances in nature where animals eat their young, they do not consciously abort the pregnancy. While other animals do not willingly let another animal kill and eat them, most do eventually lay down and die when they have grown too old to survive. The majority of humans do everything they can to stay alive and many even prefer being hooked up to machines that breath for them, pump their blood through their bodies and even extract natural waste to prolong life.

If God had intended for us to me immortal than we would all be gods.

[Tenor CS]

Glad you're ok, Christian, and sending thoughts for a speedy recovery.

I'm wondering: do you get grief from the opera community about your cigars and whatever effects they might have on your vocal cords?

Thanks for the good wishes, Eddie. I don't smoke when I'm in opera mode. I might go 6-8 weeks without a cigar if I have a long run of rehearsals and performances. If I have to travel to sing or record somewhere, I don't even bring a travel humi. As much as I enjoy my cigars, I know that smoking when I have to sing at a high level is not good for my voice. If I lay off for a few weeks, though, my voice clears right up.

[BlackIrish]

Thanks for the good wishes, Eddie. I don't smoke when I'm in opera mode. I might go 6-8 weeks without a cigar if I have a long run of rehearsals and performances. If I have to travel to sing or record somewhere, I don't even bring a travel humi. As much as I enjoy my cigars, I know that smoking when I have to sing at a high level is not good for my voice. If I lay off for a few weeks, though, my voice clears right up.

Interesting. I haven't found that cigars have any noticeable effect on my singing.







I suck whether or not I smoke. ;)
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[ucla695]

Luckily I haven't been read the riot act about smoking cigars. Instead, my doctor prefers to emphasize the benefits of maintaining a balanced diet and exercise.