Smoking and Post Op

[#Redy4chg.org 40]

I'm scheduled for 1/21/13 and on the 7th will start pre op diet and no smoking. This I know will be extremely hard for me. I was able to refrain during 2 pregnancies with only a few slip ups on extreme stressful days (not proud!) so now I'm wondering what is the rule about smoking post up?

[SleeveShelly 75]

I know what you mean. I had to quit preop and my drs office even give you a smoking test. Thank god I passed. I started back up again about 2 weeks after surgery. They have not even asked me about it. I struggled changing my eating AND quitting smoking. :-(

[Geminidrive 389]

I dont think there is a rule.......You probably shouldn't be smoking, but now you have a double whammy with trying to stop smoking and manage the gastric sleeve diet. I wish you well on your journey.

[KickRocks 163]

I'm dealing with the same thing. My Dr says I have to be smoke free for 60 days and he will test me and refuse surgery! It's so hard. He also said I shouldn't start back. When I was in his office he had a young lady that started back smoking 2 years post op in the hospital. She had been there a couple of weeks. He swears it was because she started back smoking. (I don't know but that's enough to scare me lol not to start back)

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[stephhine 21]

It's tough. Really tough. Have you given Chantix a try? Look into it if you can, it really works. The problem with smoking outside of the known.. you really run the risk of interference with your healing. Smoking dramatically decreases the amount of oxygen that you need to heal.... you run a huge risk for leaks as well. I know it's going to be hard but you really should try to refrain during your healing process. Best of luck to you.

[Ann in St Louis 2]

I started smoking the next morning following my surgery (two weeks ago today) although I haven't found the taste to be as good as I remember. Subsequently I'm down from a pack a day to about 6. Doesn't seem to be doing me any harm as I am already eating real food and my weight loss hasn't stalled. I'm not saying you should smoke, just that it's had no adverse effect on me. Good luck in what ever choice you make..it's hard any way you look at it!

[clk 3,519]

Smoking will most assuredly interfere with your healing process. It greatly increases your risk of complications post op. And I know you're fully aware of this, but fixing one major health issue (your weight and possible cormorbidities) and keeping a bad habit that can cause others isn't good in the long run. All else aside, it is absolutely imperative that you listen to your surgeon about not smoking prior to surgery, or at least being honest with the surgeon and anesthesiologist about it beforehand.

That said, giving up two major emotional crutches at once will be very challenging. I agree with the previous poster - this is the ideal time to try a prescription and try to stop smoking once and for all. If you'll need to stop for a few months to aid healing anyway, it's possible to do it long term. Always assuming, of course, that your home situation doesn't provide a constant temptation (such as another smoker who isn't willing to quit).

I know that there are people that didn't stop smoking post op - there have to be. They just aren't very vocal about it, probably because it's easy to be anti-smoking if you're not a smoker and nobody wants to hear more lectures when they already know the risks.

But think of the impact on your pocketbook if you give up both the eating and smoking addictions at once. You won't know what to do with all your extra money!

Good luck whatever you decide. I recommend heading to the general discussion board and seeking out other smokers to see what you find and to make a final choice there. You already know it's in your best interest to quit - I've never met a smoker yet that didn't know that, even though I gave up the habit more than ten years ago. The question is whether or not you're prepared for the real challenge of changing your entire life all at once.

~Cheri

[leeann71 539]

Im an exsmoker as of surgery 12/4/12. I read that if something like you get stomache cancer from smoking or any other reason that it would be almost impossible to remove because then you would not have a stomache, you have nothing extra to save. There for I chose not to smoke again its not worth it. It really scared me!

[Ann in St Louis 2]

CLK: Thanks for your concern. My doctor neither cared nor asked if I smoked. I have been smoking for 8 years and have absolutely no desire to give it up. I was merely responding to the original question asked. I must have those incredible genetic capabilities to heal in spite of such dire probabilities of a non-healing suture line due to my nicotine intake. I feel great, my weight loss is good, I am eating regular food and I am happy. No sense spoiling that by increasing my anxiety and stress level (which also precludes healing) by worrying about or craving my cigs

[#Redy4chg.org 40]

Wow you all have given me something to think about. I would like to stop for good. It is an expensive habit. My life is so stressful that its become my calming tool. I don't like taking meds so I think I'll try an electric cigarette. My boyfriend had one for two months and it helped him until it broke then he went back to smoking. If we try together maybe we'll be successful at kicking the habit.

Thanks for all the advice!

[Brandywine 74]

I'm not a smoker but curious why you can't after other than you should just quit.... But why after this surgery????

[dat_sweetmami 81]

I'm scheduled for 1/21/13 and on the 7th will start pre op diet and no smoking. This I know will be extremely hard for me. I was able to refrain during 2 pregnancies with only a few slip ups on extreme stressful days (not proud!) so now I'm wondering what is the rule about smoking post up?

Im on the same boat. Stressful Situations are the worst when dealing with the pre op process n dealing with bs. I just want to be healthy n look good while doing it. Ugh ....does any one know how to post a blog of my own

[#Redy4chg.org 40]

Im on the same boat. Stressful Situations are the worst when dealing with the pre op process n dealing with bs. I just want to be healthy n look good while doing it. Ugh ....does any one know how to post a blog of my own

Go to the main threads then hit the arrow at the top and a menu should pop up with an option for a new thread.

[#Redy4chg.org 40]

I'm not a smoker but curious why you can't after other than you should just quit.... But why after this surgery????

I think it's not good for the healing process but some people have continued smoking afterwards and say they don't have any issues. So idk what my dr will say but I'll try to go along with the recommendations.

[dat_sweetmami 81]

Go to the main threads then hit the arrow at the top and a menu should pop up with an option for a new thread.

Thank you...this is such a wonderful website..but Im still a newbie :-)