Dr. Metz Wouldn't Fill My Lap Band Because I Smoke

[FLORIDAYS 3,040]

I too am self pay.... and I smoke 1/2 pack per day and I had a fill this morning...... My Dr would prefer that I didnt smoke (one thing at a time doc...LOL) but he told me it will not hurt the band in any way.

As long as they do not test your blood they wont know you smoke.... you can go that route or just find a new Dr.

[BayougirlMrsS 3,933]

There is a blood test they can take to test for Nic. in the system. But if you are on Chantex... im not sure if it will give a clean reading anyway.....

I had a blood test about a month ago for a life insurance policy....

[highland 168]

Find a new doc. This one sounds like a control freak! He's going to always have a problem with you about SOMETHING!! Must be nice to be perfect like him. lol

[Giggles_syd 2]

Wow I've never heard of smoking having anything to do with the band either! I'm curious now lol.

[Dawn200321 146]

I was told as a smoker I needed to quit before they would do the surgery. I quite two days before lol. I did smoke one cigarette after surgery but it was nasty. Havent touch them since

[Army's girl 4]

Smoking slows down the healing process & everytime you get a fill your stomach has to heal again thats why your told to be on liquids for a day or two. I don't understand how alot of people can't see the corelation between band erosion & smoking. The majority of good doctors & surgeons that actually have a conscience and care won't perform surgery or fills on patients that smoke or refuse to quit smoking because they know & its said in the seminars that the band is just a tool but the patient has to be willing to make the changes necessary in order for the band ot be a success. Its not easy to do but either was paying for the band or going to surgery. I was a smoker & still crave every now & then cigarrettes but I tell myself that I need to be strong & focus on the goal which is to lose weight by making healthier choices so I can live longer to be there for my kids an family.

Don't be too hard on yourself & don't get discouraged but go online and definitely do research so you can learn and understand the effects of everything we do to our bodies & how it affects us mentally & physically. Therapy is a great place to start. If you need assistance by taking medication then thats fine but start somewhere, baby steps. There are doctors or PA's that will fill you regardless of your smoking but hun love yourself enought o start making better choices with food, gambling & smoking oka. One at a time you can do this!! Getting the surgery & posting on here is a great start. Good luck, we are all here for you.

[readytogoforit 172]

you are worth the changes we need to do. we became obese because we never said stop to food, right? now you have a new challenge, you are worth it. take one step at a time, take a breath and see what happens.

walking will help you get your mind off the weight gain, start now. keep in touch with the forum. we want to see you succeed, you can do it. drug addicts and alcoholics stop using, so can you. I have been drug and alcohol free for almost 29 yrs. if I had looked at stopping everything past one day or even one hour at a time in the beginning I would never have made it. the best thing I did was get and use support of a group. I trusted others who had gone through the same issues, it works. smoking is not good for you, it is a drug. take care of you, you are worthwhile!!!

[Cazzy 725]

It must be very hard to face all we do give up to lose this weight and having to quit smoking too, seems a nightmare scenario. I would use Patches the day before u go for a fill say u gave up a month previously. You at least should be able to get through the time till a fill and not smell like a smoker. Air your clothes and and use fabreeze otherwise just find another doc.

[steelerfan 5]

i was also told by my doc that i needed to quit before the surgery. so, i quit the day before the surgery, lol. Altho, i have not started again. I had 1 night stay in the hospital and I refuse to smoke in my house...so i used my recovery time to kick it, hopefully for good!

[FLHgal 68]

What I have heard, take it for what you want.. most doctors will not do a band if you smoke.

My surgeon does a nicotine test prior to surgery, and requires 6 months of no smoking prior to surgery.

Smoking does not appear to be an issue with the bypass...

[Baba Wawa 543]

The reason behind your doctors policy of not filling patients who smoke is that smokers are more prone to peptic ulcers than non-smokers and ulcers can lead to erosion.

[Fantasy 104]

I am not a smoker, but I think the doctor telling you that won't get you to quit. He means well, but why doesn;t he tell his patients to eat less, then they won't need the band or a fill, same analagy, right? Throwing this kind of a curve ball at you when you are under the stress of having a ways to go before you reach goal is a little sadistic to me. Get another doctor who is a little more understanding and will work with you. Have you thought about electronic cigarettes, cheaper and healthier. Good luck.

[Jlewis229 191]

I smoke and on my questionnaire I lied and said I didn't just because after calling around I had a Dr say they would not perform a sleeve if I smoked (which I'm not getting now because I want the band).

I hate to lie but dammit one thing at a time and I need to tackle my weight first!

I have smoked e-cigarettes and will do so before i go before my next visit so I don't smell of smoke. If they do a nicotine test well fine because the electronic cigarettes have nicotine in them. People smoke socially too with a glass of wine at a bar or whatever it is they like to drink. So that would show up as well.

I'm gonna have someone call my Dr's office tomorrow and just ask about their policy on smoking and As long as they say he will do it but prefers you not to smoke then I'll be honest with them when i go back Wednesday otherwise it's the e-cigarette for me!