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Smokes Meth. Having Surgery. Any Risk?
Question: My brother smokes meth, and he is having surgery today at 12:30pm. He states the last time he smoked was approximately 10pm the night before,so he will have not of smoked it for approximately 14.5 hours prior to surgery.
Is he at risk of dying when going under? He has no intention of telling them. Can I call his Dr XXXXXXX tell him? If his Dr. Questions it he will deny it but at least they will be aware?
Is he at risk of dying when going under? He has no intention of telling them. Can I call his Dr XXXXXXX tell him? If his Dr. Questions it he will deny it but at least they will be aware?
Dear patient,
It is a tough etical dilemma. On principle, it would not be contrary to confidentiality for you to talk to his doctor about that since you are a concerned family member, but it can put you at risk for conflict. He may have problems with withdrawal, and it is important to know about something like that given that he may actually have more tolerance to pain medications and anesthetics; difficult to say otherwise how it will impact his surgery.
Yours truly,
Dr Brenes-Salazar MD
Cardiology
Mayo Clinic MN
It is a tough etical dilemma. On principle, it would not be contrary to confidentiality for you to talk to his doctor about that since you are a concerned family member, but it can put you at risk for conflict. He may have problems with withdrawal, and it is important to know about something like that given that he may actually have more tolerance to pain medications and anesthetics; difficult to say otherwise how it will impact his surgery.
Yours truly,
Dr Brenes-Salazar MD
Cardiology
Mayo Clinic MN
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
If he postpones the surgery, how long can he postpone where it would be safe to have the surgery?
Ideally after he has been clean for at least a week or so.
Note: In case of any other concern or query related to prevention, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, or the recovery of persons with the any type of addiction or substance use, follow up with our Addiction Medicine Specialist. Click here to book a consultation now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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