Quit smoking for before WLS?

[booda 0]

Yes, I know that every doctor recomends that we quit smoking before the big day but has anyone not done what is recomended? It's easier said then done for those of you who do not have this terrible habbit!

[juliegeraci 7]

I swore I was going to quit after surgery. I think its time for the patch or something along thoser lines. I haven't yet.

[fishy 0]

I hope there are some smokers out there, because I've been wondering this as well. I had my last *gasp* cigar for a while last night, 2 weeks prior to my surgery - just as the doctor ordered. So far, the urge to take a life isn't too strong. :angry

[Carlene 12]

I stopped smoking about 10 years ago. I know how hard it is, and I doubt that "doctor's orders" would have been the determining factor for me. Everyone has their own wake up call (true of WLS, too). For me, it was watching a beloved sister-in-law die from lung cancer.

I am VERY, VERY glad I quit, even if it's just to say that I no longer have that monkey on my back, but I don't know that I believe it will have a huge impact on your surgery.

I smoked thru all the things I shouldn't have...pregnancy, asthma, etc. I just hope no one has photos of me as a nursing mother.

[robinem 0]

I'm a bad one too. I was advised at my initial consultation that I had to quit smoking after the consultation. I haven't bought any since then, but if someone is at my house who smokes, I will bum a couple during their visit. I think that counts as quitting, and as my time gets closer, I'll stop bumming them also.

Man, quitting is hard.

[lianna 3]

I never quit. It is supposed to make recovery easier, but mine was easy anyway after the first 2-3 days. I wish I had've quit...I have tried over and over and never been able to put them down for good. My husband quit over a year ago and I am so proud for him, but I just cant seem to STAY quit. It is disgusting, it stinks, it's expesive, it's unhealthy, and still I havent managed get out from under it, lol.

[seppi 0]

I quit about a week before my surgery. Unfortunately I picked it back up. I was told that recovery is much easier if you don't smoke. I wish that I had kept up with the quitting, it's just so hard.

[DrewsLou 3]

I tried halfheartedly to quit before surgery... it didn't happen. I am still smoking but hoping for some major stress to settle down in my life right now to give it up for good.

[JMO 0]

As soon as I decided to do the band in dec of 05. I made it my goal to quit by January 06. I did it and man I feel so much better. I had tried many times to fully quit but always picked them back up. For a year or more I kept saying this is the last pack I am buying, then I would make sure I smoked the WHOLE pack and a friend would have some and it was just a cycle. I even stoped for 2 1/2 years while I was prego with my dd and nursing her but as soon as she was done nursing I picked them back up. Did the same thing with both me sons. I have always loved to smoke. Once my dd noticed I was not smoking(about three weeks after I quit) she said "mommy I'm glad you don't smoke anymore daddy said it was going to make you sick) I told her I know and thet I will never smoke again. Them she said "PROMISE?" so I have promised her I will not pick one up again and its a promise I plan on keeping...

I know its hard, it was one of the hardest things for me to do. But you are getting the band to be healthier.... Alow your lungs to be healthy too.... good luck!!!

[stella 0]

Carlene,

I hear you! "I smoked thru all the things I shouldn't have...pregnancy, asthma, etc. I just hope no one has photos of me as a nursing mother."

<!-- / message --><!-- sig --> I so regret smoking during pregnancy and nursing! i too eventually quit (17 yrs now) and recently started smoking when drinking... bad.....

[Marimaru 7]

I don't smoke, and I'm only chiming in to say that I have heard of doctors who will run tests the day of surgery and if they find nicotene in your blood, they will cancel your surgery. Not all of them do this, but I have heard of it happening and thought I would share.

[ralheit 0]

My doctor tests for smoking and will cancel surgery. I had to quit 2 months before surgery. Unfortunately, I'm right back at it again.

[princess_n_thep 2]

I stopped smoking 2 weeks before surgery and 2 weeks after surgery. Then my dog got sick and the stress just overcame me and I caved. I smoke a lot less now, but haven't kicked the habit anymore.

[Dody 0]

My wake-up call came 5 years ago by way of a 5-way-bypass...Heck of a wake up call. I haven't touched cigarettes since that day.

Dody

[leatha_g 4]

I did quit, on my own 8 months before my band surgery. I sort of had a plan of regaining my health and I knew I needed to tackle one problem at a time. I quit cold turkey, Sept 2002 and was banded May, 2003. It's been over 3 years now, best thing I ever did for my health. Not easy, but well worth the trouble. Good luck to you!