How does smoking affect you pre-surgery?

[Aaron50 0]

Hi everyone, I've been a reader for a little bit now, and have finally decided to get the surgery done. I have my aunt as inspiration as she has recently had it done, and she looks and feels fantastic. I was just wondering what the affects of smoking pre-surgery are? I only smoke casually (with friends, parties etc.) and not sure if I should be doing it this close to surgery.

Thoughts?

[katl97 0]

Hey,

Congratulations first off on taking this step!! It's huge. I was banded on June 9, so I am new to site. The advice I would give you is to stop all together. The reason is becuase smoking can cause blood clots after surgery, it lowers your immune response making you more susceptible to infection, and it creates difficulty for your lungs to perfuse the oxygen you breathe because they are all caked with tar. Also, after surgery you have a lot of gas in your thoracic cavity and it makes it hard to take a deep breath, (this is why they give yuo that funky little breathing device to use. It helps expand your lungs). If you smoke it makes it even harder to take those deep breaths. The ABSOLUTE most IMPORTANT thing you can do is stop smoking. Don't forget to get up and walk, deep breathe and cough. It is the only way to work the gas out of your body. Good Luck!!:smile:

[Aaron50 0]

thanks for replying.

thought what I'm really after is if it's really that bad, and if it will affect my surgery in any way if I have a couple of cigarettes every now and then, about 2 months before surgery.

In no way am I addicted, so would it be alrighT?

[LeighaMason 19]

Blood clots, infection, breathing impairment, what else do you need to know? My Dr does a nicotine test the morning before surgery if you have any trace of it he sends you home without a band.

[btrieger 21]

The lack of oxygen slows the healing processing as well.

It's not worth taking the risk especially if you aren't addicted.

I quit before surgery and unfortunately, picked it up again a couple months after.

[danielle b 32]

I smoked for 25 years....But I quit over a year ago. Thank goodness I haven't started back up....It was the hardest thing that I ever did!!! I still have cravings, but know that I am much healthier without it. My surgeon has you sign a paper stating that you do not smoke and if you do....you have to be smoke free for 8 weeks. Be honest with your surgeon, let him know you only smoke a few now and then, see what he says!!

[Aaron50 0]

Thankyou all so much, it was a lot of help.

[katl97 0]

It sounds like you are a social smoker. All I can tell you is that any kind of inhalation into your lungs other than oxygen is damaging to the tissue in one way or another. If it was me personally I would kick it all together (I am a reformed pack a day smoker who quit 4 years ago) so I know how nice it is to go out and have a beer and a smoke. However, the damage it does is really bad. If you are having surgery the best thing you can do is clean your body up the best you can so you can have a quick and uncomplicated recovery. Have you talked to the doc about this? I really wish you the best of luck! Please post and let us know what you decide!