Quitting smoking before surgery, good or bad idea?

[B-52 7,113]

I am 62 years old...I have smoked about 2 packs a day since I was a teenager....I quit about 8 years ago...was not easy, needed drug therapy to do it.....

However...it would be easy for me to say the correct thing ids that anytime you have the opportunity to quit, you should do it....

BUT being a ex hardcore smoker, I know EXACTLY where you are coming from....and there is no easy answer...as much as I HATE smoking now, and as much as I FEEL BETTER for quitting...I don't know if I could have started both of these things at the same time....so me, JUST ME, as much as I hate to say it, I would not have quit smoking at that time...I would have waited till I was well on my way with this weight loiss, feeling better and more self confident about myself...in all things, including stopping smoking.

[Wendydarling19 310]

Thank you for your condolences ladies that means a lot I am at a place now (about 14 months from the date of his passing) that I have learned to accept and live and prosper in his memory. This is part of the reason I work in the hospital's postpartum unit. And a huge reason why I am getting the band in the first place. I want to create a healthy me for any future children I may have. I want to decrease as much risk as I possibly can. To B-52, that is exactly what I was wondering but I think it may be worth a shot. If I see myself unable to quit both, I will choose the weight loss and the band over the smoking, at least until I have a better hold on my food addiction.

[The Icy One 518]

Oh, Wendy. (((Hug))) My heart aches for you, Love. I admire your strength and your determination to get healthier, live a better life for yourself and perhaps future children. You can do this, you have it in you, you have already proven it. You go, girl. <3

[Wendydarling19 310]

Thank you <3 it hasn't been an easy road but if I can overcome the grief and depression from that and turn it into a positive, then I sure as heck can beat my food and nicotine addictions!

[turquoisekaty 23]

I'm a non-smoker, but my doctor was adamant that I not smoke, drink alcohol, or drink caffeine for 2 weeks before, and 8 weeks after surgery.

In his opinion, nicotine, caffeine, and alcohol can irritate the site where the band is placed, and can interfere with healing after. He said that most of his band slippages are in people who drink, smoke, or drink caffeine within the few weeks after surgery.

This was in some of the literature I was given too.