Oh boy. I don't think I have ever really "put myself out there" here on the forum, but I have a little story for you...
I quit smoking In June 04 after 30 years when I was 2 weeks away from surgery. I healed nicely and took the habit back up 3-4 weeks post-op. Okay, mind you, I was 300+ lbs and had had high blood pressure, asthma and sleep apnea before surgery. This was a serious addiction.
In May '05 It was discoverd I had a hernia that needed to be repaired. I had open GBS and this was an incisional hernia. I did not quit smoking and had a hell of a time healing, incision was open for over 6 weeks, infection, etc.
Fast forward to July '06...time for plastic surgery to get rid of pannus. I quit cigarettes 10 days before surgery but was smoking black and mild cigars instead. Don't ask me where the logic came from but I could talk myself into anything
I was honest with my doctor about not having quit all tobacco/nicotine.
I woke up in the recovery room after 2 surgeries totalling 7 hours to my doctor telling me that I had to quit smoking, that literally the next puff of something right now could leave me with a hole in my stomach for the rest of my life! Now this man had always been straight forward and up front with me. I was scared to death. I had had gallbladder surgery about 17 years ago and have a scar on my abdomen that intersects with a later scar that was from my GBS & hernia repairs. Those 2 along with my new incision all intersected and created a triangle area on my lower abdomen, the top most tip being about where my belly button would be. Anyway, this triangle was in serious distress because of lack of circulation which was seriously hampered by the nicotine in my system.
Okay, I was suficently scared s*^tless and today I am celebrating my 32nd day nicotine/tobacco free. My 27 inch incision in healing quite nicely, I rarely cough and I feel so much better. It has not been easy but when faced with what he'd said it was no longer an option or an issue, it was a MUST. Fear has been the greatest motivater for me.
I wish you much success, arm yourself with all the things that were previously recommended (great post!) and a steel determination and we will help you any way we can. Dr Callery was making noise about testing for nicotine but I did not get tested, but I do know that he has and people have not had their surgery if they don't pass that nicotine test. It is in our best interest. Good luck hon.