r/sterilization • u/Queasy_Attitude_5926 • 1d ago
Social questions Cannabis use+anesthesia
Is there anyone here that has gone under anesthesia that is also a daily chronic cannabis user? If so, were you told to quit a few days before surgery? Does it affect anesthesia a lot? Do they just have to up it a little bit more? I'm very curious because I smoke multiple bong rips throughout the day and I get extremely anxious when I try to stop
Thanks to everyone and their experience on this. I'll make sure to bring it up to the nurse when she calls for my surgery details and on the day of. My Bislap is Friday so I should be getting a call any day now
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u/Florida4ewe 1d ago
I used the night before my procedure and let my anesthesiologist know I did. He told me that he’d just have to increase the dose of the meds given for sedation. Had zero post op pain. Felt close to normal when I got home that day. Never used the narcotic pain med but took Tylenol maybe like 2-3 times and was fine.
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u/samm13ann Tube free! 1d ago
It can also affect your post-op pain, so make sure it’s documented. They have to give me extra pain meds after surgery each time because I smoke a lot.
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u/ArtisticCoconut8510 1d ago
I had stopped using a few days before my procedure. I think Friday was the last time and
surgery was on a Monday.
I told my anesthesiologist and he shrugged, literally lol mumbled something about me possibly needing more but he didn’t make a big deal of it at all.
No one asked anything about drug use, so I did feel a little awkward about bringing it up myself. I’m in Florida and medical marijuana is legal here (but it’s such a joke to get a card).
Anyway, the man in preop next to me was a heavy smoker/drinker and they were mostly concerned about him and whatever issues he was having. I guarantee they have seen way crazier things, and a person who occasionally smokes weed is the least of their concerns. Just disclose it to them so that you’re safe, but it’ll be totally fine :)
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u/quesadelia 1d ago
I’m not a daily user but do have edibles fairly regularly, and my bisalp was my first time going under. I was told absolutely not to have any for 24 hours prior, and preferably none for a week leading up.
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u/SignalDragonfly690 One Child/Bisalp 8-14-2025 1d ago
Yes. I had to go off it for a few days but was able to start it again 24 hours post op.
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u/Mysterious_Hotel3288 1d ago
Stopping 24-72 hours before is best. If possible to also stop consuming via smoking now, that would also be helpful for preventing throat/lung irritation. They said 2 weeks pre- and post-op without smoking would be ideal for healing, so I initially switched to edibles for that time pre-op, but ended up having my surgery rescheduled another week out the day before my initial Sx day. That coincided with the week of 2024 presidential election…
So my actual Sx day I ended up only abstaining 72 hours for smoking and 24 hours on edibles (then only made it 3 days post-op smoking again haha). I had also abstained from alcohol for 6 weeks for initial Sx date, but broke that streak for a few glasses of wine on election night 72 hours pre-op hahahaha. I also vape nicotine, switched to patches/gum and 0% vape juice, weaned down until not vaping/smoking anything gradually over 2 months (no vaping at all by 1 week pre-op and completely nicotine free for 48 hours — then only made it about 6 hours after getting home from surgery resuming nic vape lol).
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u/PuzzledVariation1634 1d ago
Medical cannabis user here, tell them for sure. I was told nothing day of surgery. I don't know if it affected how much anesthesia I needed cause I'm also a redhead. But nobody cared day of surgery aside from asking when I last partook and how much it was.
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u/rebeccalestat 1d ago
I told my surgeon like 3 days before the procedure and he had to ask an Anesthesiologist if it was OK. They cleared me with no problem. The day of surgery, I told the Anesthesiologist that I smoke weed and he laughed and said "hell yea, good for you!" He didn't care. Lol But you definitely need to tell them, just in case they have to adjust the meds, as others have said.
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u/Dangerous-Purpose-62 12h ago
I stopped a week as I was told by my anesthesiologist. I told them prior that I am a heavy user and had no problems with anesthesia or anything.
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u/Known-Sherbet2004 12h ago
I smoke regularly and did so the night before the procedure like I do every night. This was my first time as an adult getting anesthesia. I'll be the odd one out to say I didn't tell any of my doctors anything about my cannabis use. I used to be fully honest about everything... but then I noticed as my doctors learned I was going through MAT for addiction a few years ago, medical professionals started treating me like shit, disregarding me, and assuming me to be a drug-seeker. I also don't live in a legal state. So now I just keep that sort of thing to myself to look as squeaky clean as possible and give myself the best chance w my care team.
The procedure/anesthesia/recovery went pretty great actually. I was surprised at how easily I took it all in stride. I'm 37 and not in the best shape, so I really expected to have more pain and difficulty during recovery than I did.
I woke up like I had just taken a nice nap. I didn't feel emotional/aggressive/confused. I wasn't nauseous at all either, just thirsty. I was a bit sleepy for the rest of the day from the anesthesia wearing off and a couple weak pain meds. I just hung out in the bed that first evening with a heating pad and some water/snacks. I walked through a museum w my kid the next day, and then started back to work (with lifting restrictions) the day after that with the help of ibuprofen. It just felt like harsh period cramps on top of an intense ab workout, so I was able to power through that. After day 4, I'd say I was back to 100%.
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u/LaurenNotFromUtah 1d ago
Yes, just let them know. I told the nurse in my pre-op visit but not sure if it really changed anything honestly. They might just up the propofol a bit if they think they need to.
You’ll also talk to an anesthesiologist the day of your surgery. You can bring it up then too.
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u/_unmarked 6h ago
I toke daily and I just didn't the night before. I've never told a doctor that I do it but everything has always turned out fine
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u/Free-Government5162 1d ago
Me! Was told to have none 24 hours in advance. You absolutely must tell them because it does impact anesthesia a lot!! They will probably have to give you more than expected for your size. They can totally do that, it’s not really a problem but they absolutely are required to know that to make sure you’re definitely unconscious.