Batman, I don't smoke, but one of my good friends was in a similar situation with the dry socket risk and cravings for cigs. His doctor told him that if he drank chocolate milk a couple of minutes before he smoked, he was less likely to get a dry socket. Apparently, the milk and chocolate, I guess, coats the area and protects it. Take this with a grain of salt, as I know it sounds weird. But, my buddy said it worked and he's still smokin' that Snoop Dogg. Good luck man
Batman, Sorry to hear about your breakup and losing your animals. I had to put down our 13 and a half black cocker today and I still have not recovered from it. It is so amazing at how you can get attached to them. I had my wisdom teeth taken out about 11 years ago and heard all the horror stories about the dry socket. I have never been a smoker but I am a big coke/mello yello drinker and I want to think they told me not to drink any sodas/soft drinks for like 3 days but I did after 2 days and was fine. I think if you make it to 72 hours without any issues, you should be okay. Good luck!
Just called the doctor to confirm 72-hour waiting period and they said their normal recommendation was actually just 48 and they said that after 48 hours I was out of the woods for dry socket. Stuffed the hole with gauze after that (which was 70 hours since my extraction) and took a nice long drag but it was unpleasant to smoke with gauze in my mouth so I put it out after 1 big draw and 2 or 3 small ones. I think the gauze (along with the patch) will help me to limit my smoking significantly until the coast is definitely clear. Thanks again for all the feedback.
Can't find a Major Malcontent post in which to thank him for his kind words (in rep feedback). Thanks, MM. That was very kind of you.