Friend has a good question....

Katie328 · October 4, 2004

A friend of mine is considering getting banded but was wondering something I never thought about. She is a smoker and wondered what kind of effects that would have? Would it in any way affect her band? Have any of you heard anything about this or are any of you smokers?? She'd love to quit, (I'd love her to as well!) but she said she didnt know if she could do it cold turkey! Anyway, just wondering if you guys had any input on this for me to tell her...

Thanks...

Katie

shellyj · October 4, 2004

i smoke.

pre-op i didnt have to quit i told them i smoked. they said to be EXTRA diligent about the breathing exercises. as fas as being post op no problems either. once i get to my goal weight i am going to try to quit again.

tell your friend to discuss this with their surgeon!

~c~ · October 4, 2004

I smoke as well.I would love to quit but the one time i tried i gained 13 pounds in 3 weeks and went out to buy a pack!

For me it's too much to change so many habits at once.I want to get close to goal and have a good grip on my new eating lifestyle and getting into the habit of exercsing before attempting it again!

Baby steps...

Chantal

La_madam · October 4, 2004

I smoke..I told them I smoked and they knew it pre op..still smoke and have had no problems Like ShellyJ I plan on quitting once I get to goal which is another 42 lbs

Iluvharleys · October 4, 2004

Wow Michelle, you are over half way there!

Katie328 · October 4, 2004

Thanks guys..i was thinking that was another one of those silly questions but for her I figured I'd ask...can't be silly if you dont know, right?? Anyway thanks a million

KT

hagerteresa · October 5, 2004

I too smoke and like everyone else would like to quit eventually. I never had any problems healing or anything so I assume all is well. Best wishes, Teresa

claraluz · October 5, 2004

Bottom line is it increases the risk of surgery - any surgery. If she is relatively young and healthy, the risk will be less. If she's been smoking for 30 years and has heart or lung problems, the risk will be greater. It also will tend to make her scarring worse. And if she is concerned about sagging skin after weight loss, it will tend to make that worse and if she wants to have plastic surgery, they will probably insist that she quit smoking. This is because smoking decreases the blood supply to the skin.

The above are the true, biologically based facts. Obviously there will be many people who smoke and come through surgery without any problems, just as there are many smokers who never get lung cancer.

Nancy