Marijuana and Life after Bariatric Surgery

[lakiller305 7]

Wonderful thread and perfectly timed for me. Just yesterday I was wondering about this. I am scared to death of the nausea and vomiting and know pot helps tremendously with that. My bigger concern wasn't the munchies, but if it had any adverse effects on healing like nicotine does.

Seems like it will be a viable option, so I will make sure to add a small quantity to my post-op prep list.

Thank you everyone for their frank i vote no for now until you know how to control your head hunger discussion on this.

[butterfly** 39]

I smoke pot regularly but do plan on stopping when I start my pre op. I know it gives me the munchies. I have no intention of sabotaging my new little stomache.

[jadama22 110]

STATUS UPDATE:

It has been almost 4 months since surgery and I have been using marijuana since my for about 2 months now and I have to say it has been great. I have lost 54 lbs and I'm feeling great and going. I exercise 3 to 4 times a week and I'm very active. My life has truly changed for the better and guess what - having marijuana did not hinder anything for me. I stick to having healthy Snacks around like apples, bananas, baby carrots if I get the munchies a bit and it works for me.

Just thought to share as I started this thread and I have not been on here for a while.

Definitely a positive experience!

[Ginger8 3]

I dislike NY auto correct too, you you do need to get your Protein it it helps your body heal and keeps your body strong during the healing process.

[Terra B 53]

I used MMJ for medical reasons. There are so many different strains out there and plenty that do not cause munchies. If you go with a strain with more CBD and not as much THC then it is more for pain managment, body buzz opposed to heady high and munchies. If it is something that you need or even chose to use; just research strains.

I don't think anyone anywhere including here can/should judge anyone else for the way they choose to live an everyday life occurance. Everyone here is here for the same reason, to lose weight and have support. Not to be judged on other things we do. All of us have our own opinions, if you don't think it is a good idea; simple state that. Don't go on to put each other down. Especially someone who had to go through surgery to lose weight; how can you judge others for what they need to do to get by. Too each his own!

I say if you can handle and get your hands on the right strain for you; go for it. If it doesn't work and you start eating because of it; yeah might want to let it go.

Good luck to everyone!

[MsDesire911 1]

This site should be judgement free. It's terrible that someone can not just freely post a question with out being chewed up for their vices smh. After reading some of these replies I'm reminded of what my mom use to tell me growing up IF YOU DON'T HAVE ANYTHING NICE TO SAY DONT SAY ANYTHING AT ALL!!!!

[steph_anie 49]

Sorry, I haven't smoked weed since WLS.

Marijuana makes me ravenously hungry. I don't think I'll be doing that any time soon. (I'm 7 months post-op.)

However, I do drink wine now. Happily, it doesn't give me the munchies.

Best to you. Hope you do get some responses from folks who have tried it post-op and learn how it affected them.

How soon after surgery did you start drinking wine? I miss my occasional glass but I'm fearful of the effects.

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

Sorry, I haven't smoked weed since WLS.

Marijuana makes me ravenously hungry. I don't think I'll be doing that any time soon. (I'm 7 months post-op.)

However, I do drink wine now. Happily, it doesn't give me the munchies.

Best to you. Hope you do get some responses from folks who have tried it post-op and learn how it affected them.

How soon after surgery did you start drinking wine? I miss my occasional glass but I'm fearful of the effects.

I had my first glass of wine about 5.5 months post-op. And thereafter I started drinking wine pretty regularly -- maybe 4-5 nights a week, but only 4 ounces.

I'm on maintenance now and drink a glass of wine (4-6 ounces) OR one shot of single malt scotch (not both!) about 5 nights a week. I drink it extremely slowly and truly savor it.

I'm truly a social drinker -- don't binge drink in any way. And then sometimes I just get bored with it or out of the habit and don't drink for a month or two.

But I will definitely say that wine / alcohol affects me a little more than it did pre-op. Everything they say about alcohol's effects on WLS patients seems to be true for me.

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

BTW, I'm glad to hear that at least some of the folks who are smoking marijuana post-op aren't seeing their weight loss efforts hampered by their marijuana use.

For those who are offended by responsible marijuana smokers, get ready to be offended a lot more. I predict that recreational use of marijuana will soon be legalized nationally -- and sooner than you expect.

[Tssiemer1 549]

God, I hope so.

[Amy Wolfe 49]

I know sometime that had smoked since 2 weeks after surgery. And a lot and all is well. I don't smoke. I do vape though.

[kdelrosso 124]

I would say just hold off for awhile. If not for the increase in appetite but for your lungs. There is A reason doctors do not want patients smoking before or after surgeries for x amount of time. Anesthesia junks up your lungs and if you are smoking it's going to make it worse and increase your chances for pneumonia or other lung related problems. I would hold off just so you don't end up with something that could truly harm you.

[Chanti_ 27]

I promise I will try it after my surgery and I'll give a shout out about my experience. (some of these responses truly had me laughing out loud!! folks need to "lighten up"!)

Ha, maybe they just need to 'light up' instead. Be chill people.

I think using pot in the early post op period is a bad idea. Bad for the respiratory system mostly.

Also, if you can continue to be only an occasional user ie. once a week or less, then I don't see much harm once you are completely recovered. But as others mentioned I would be concerned if you became a more frequent user. I would worry that stressors of WLS and ongoing life changes that occur with same might be a trigger for cross addiction. The comfort of over eating is gone, and it would not be great if pot filled the void.

[jadama22 110]

Ha, maybe they just need to 'light up' instead. Be chill people.

I promise I will try it after my surgery and I'll give a shout out about my experience. (some of these responses truly had me laughing out loud!! folks need to "lighten up"!)

I think using pot in the early post op period is a bad idea. Bad for the respiratory system mostly.

Also, if you can continue to be only an occasional user ie. once a week or less, then I don't see much harm once you are completely recovered. But as others mentioned I would be concerned if you became a more frequent user. I would worry that stressors of WLS and ongoing life changes that occur with same might be a trigger for cross addiction. The comfort of over eating is gone, and it would not be great if pot filled the void.

Hi Chanti, you make a very good point. It is about 5 months after surgery for me and I started to smoke occasionally last month. I also agree on your mention of WLS and the ongoing changes and stressors. Your life definitely changes, your image, personality, moods, and social life. Some stages are harder than others, so it can be quite a challenge. There are so many factors that can trigger cross addiction in people and folks should be very careful on the use of marijuana and alcohol.

Thanks for sharing.

[JupiterinVirgo 846]

Marijuana is medicinal, harmless and, if anything will probably support healing. People fearing the munchies are non-smokers. Like anything else, it's what you make of it. Marijuana does not force you to eat, and it isn't addictive.