Smoking and Post Op

[MichiganChic 3,262]

I don't smoke, but I have been a smoker (20 years ago), so I get it! I agree, trying to change two habits at once will be challenging, but it's probably worth it. Chantix might be a very good option, as someone else has suggested.

My surgeon has taken a really hard line about smoking. He told me he tests people, and will not operate on smokers. He has had two leaks, and both of those patients never stopped smoking, and he attributes it to that, at least in part. Good luck to you

[fluffylibra30 323]

I don't care one way or other if someone continues to smoke, my question is why? Your doing all this to get healthier and be better. Smoking kills you, takes years off your life. Bad for your heart. Been proven to make your older faster. Why would you still want to do that after completely changing your diet and lifestyle? I just don't understand.

[#Redy4chg.org 40]

I don't care one way or other if someone continues to smoke' date=' my question is why? Your doing all this to get healthier and be better. Smoking kills you, takes years off your life. Bad for your heart. Been proven to make your older faster. Why would you still want to do that after completely changing your diet and lifestyle? I just don't understand.[/quote']

Because its not that easy to just quit. Two coping mechanisms are being taken away at once. I've been smoking for 17 yrs. I've been stuffing my face for 35 yrs. Cold turkey is hard. I do realize that smoking is bad. I do want to be free of it. I wanted to know what it would do to the healing process as further motivation to stop.

[#Redy4chg.org 40]

I don't smoke' date=' but I have been a smoker (20 years ago), so I get it! I agree, trying to change two habits at once will be challenging, but it's probably worth it. Chantix might be a very good option, as someone else has suggested.

My surgeon has taken a really hard line about smoking. He told me he tests people, and will not operate on smokers. He has had two leaks, and both of those patients never stopped smoking, and he attributes it to that, at least in part. Good luck to you <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />[/quote']

I definitely will stop smoking pre op. My two weeks starts tomorrow so 11:59 will be my last toke hopefully for good.

Thanks for your help.

[fatiniowa 10]

It is my understanding smoking increases risk of clots and can make your lungs have issues post op which is why many hospitals have you blow into that thing that tests your lungs ability since lungs need to recover even with out smoking. I did smoke pre op although had cut back a lot, as well as post op still try to cut back but am at about half pack a day. recently started chantix and that seems to make me cry and have strange dreams. WIll see what happens when I up the dose next week. Hope I quit.

[#Redy4chg.org 40]

It is my understanding smoking increases risk of clots and can make your lungs have issues post op which is why many hospitals have you blow into that thing that tests your lungs ability since lungs need to recover even with out smoking. I did smoke pre op although had cut back a lot' date=' as well as post op still try to cut back but am at about half pack a day. recently started chantix and that seems to make me cry and have strange dreams. WIll see what happens when I up the dose next week. Hope I quit.[/quote']

Yea that's reason enough to quit! I don't think I can do Chantix. I'm a b***h as it is and add jacked up emotions... Ooh weee! I would lose everyone close to me. Bad enough my BF puts up with me when I'm PMSin I can't imagine adding the tears lol. I'm going to try the e-cig first and maybe the gum.

[hunny79 72]

well here is my 2 cents... im and ex smoker i smoked off/on for over 15 yrs .. i quit when i was pregnant ,while i nursed, as a new yrs resolution a couple years in a row but went back because honestly i enjoyed it. i started this journey for surgery about 3 years ago and in my Quest to get healthy i needed to be honest with myself about what healthy was and to me its not skinny with a cigarette in my mouth... i coulnt quit cold turkey because i was a maniac,dnt like the side effect with chantix so i got accupuncture and it worked of course there is no force field around me stopping me from buying a pack ... which btw is 9$... but it takes the edge off and i smell better :-) good luck

[jwhite692 10]

First appt. with Doctor he said I had to quit smoking... I left there and thought life was over. I was so upset... BUT I put it in my head that if I truly wanted a healthier me smoking would go. I quit Nov 15th and haven't looked back! Best thing I've ever done ( other than this surgery)

It is hard as hell but very much worth it!

Stay strong and believe in yourself... YOU GOT THIS!!!

[Alabamasleever 58]

Not a good idea. Smoking can lead to leaks.

LiterateStylish, just curious as to where you found this information? Are you assuming this because of the decreased blood flow and slow healing?

[alley-gator 96]

LiterateStylish' date=' just curious as to where you found this information? Are you assuming this because of the decreased blood flow and slow healing?[/quote']

Idk where the poster got it, but its a proven fact that nicotine binds to red blood cells in place of oxygen, and oxygen can't get to sits of injury without healing. If you smoke post op, the duties line can't heal and scar appropriately, thus the increased risk of leaks. It's pretty widely known that smoking substantially increases healing time from any surgery/injury. My Dr was very strict about smokers, and I was tested pre op for any nicotine in my system.

Good luck to everyone trying to quit, its a nasty habit & you'll be so much better off without it!

[alley-gator 96]

Geez.... Staple line not duties line

Fat fingers equals tons of autocorrect!

[leeann71 539]

I know its hard to quit smoking, I am an exsmoker. You have to decide what is more important. Your life or the bad habit that you have had for years. Having a MAJOR operation to remove your stomach is a very serious, and to be smoking before this is not healtjy at all. You are taking a chance with your lungs colapsing, blood clots and many more complications. If you cant do it for yourselves do it for the people who love you. I gave it up cold turkey, I was having alot of drama in my life at that time but I still did it. I know each and everyone of you can do it, I have faith in all of you. You just have to figure out what your priorities are. Living healthier or continue down a road that will eventualy take your life. I wish the best for everyone. I know you can do this give it all your will power and you will succeed.

[keya34 46]

Hi I was a smoker, weird to say that right now. But I had to realize is that this was my so called fix everything if I was stressing or sad or had to think I went for a cig. But if it was important or serious like being preg or breastfeeding I could quit faster then u could breath. I have asthma and even that did not make me quit, I wanted to but it was a lot more stress that made that impossible. One being having 4 kids and needing that 5 minute break outside alone. But I quit at the same time I started my preop its hard taking both of my main coping tools away. I am ok with that because I finally am doing something for me, I finally feel I deserve a good chance and you do to. You will not quit till ur heart and mind is ready people can say what they wanna. It does not matter when u ready just like I was it will happen.

Best wishes to you I know it ain't easy.

[#Redy4chg.org 40]

Hi I was a smoker' date=' weird to say that right now. But I had to realize is that this was my so called fix everything if I was stressing or sad or had to think I went for a cig. But if it was important or serious like being preg or breastfeeding I could quit faster then u could breath. I have asthma and even that did not make me quit, I wanted to but it was a lot more stress that made that impossible. One being having 4 kids and needing that 5 minute break outside alone. But I quit at the same time I started my preop its hard taking both of my main coping tools away. I am ok with that because I finally am doing something for me, I finally feel I deserve a good chance and you do to. You will not quit till ur heart and mind is ready people can say what they wanna. It does not matter when u ready just like I was it will happen.

Best wishes to you I know it ain't easy.[/quote']

Thank u! I was able to quit when it came to my babies health too. My own health hasn't had that much importance until now. I think I can do it with all the encouragement I'm getting. I am sure going to give it a 100% try.

[#Redy4chg.org 40]

I know its hard to quit smoking' date=' I am an exsmoker. You have to decide what is more important. Your life or the bad habit that you have had for years. Having a MAJOR operation to remove your stomach is a very serious, and to be smoking before this is not healtjy at all. You are taking a chance with your lungs colapsing, blood clots and many more complications. If you cant do it for yourselves do it for the people who love you. I gave it up cold turkey, I was having alot of drama in my life at that time but I still did it. I know each and everyone of you can do it, I have faith in all of you. You just have to figure out what your priorities are. Living healthier or continue down a road that will eventualy take your life. I wish the best for everyone. I know you can do this give it all your will power and you will succeed.[/quote']

Thank you. I don't want to have any complications that I cause. I am looking for other ways to calm my nerves, keep my hands busy, occupy my mind, and any other excuse I can find to block that urge of smoking.