Vaping Nicotine Free before Surgery

[Pi Sano 6]

So I was told need to quit smoking 2 months prior to my VSG procedure. My question is, would Vaping Nicotine Free be alright? Its only Propelyn Glycol which is found in Iced Cream & Bacon. And Vegetable Oil.

[OKCPirate 5,323]

I found no problem with stomach irritation vaping before and post surgery. Only caveat I can think of is the flavor. A menthol or strong mint might be a problem. So take serious stock of what is it doing to your stomach now, because it will be magnified post surgery.

The smoking ban is the same as that on coffee, it irritates the stomach and makes healing longer and more difficult. The whole goal for the first month is to heal the staple line and gradually add in food to restart your system. Don't want to create internal stress by lifting too much et al. Congrats on getting down to 0.

[theantichick 2,204]

Kudos on weaning off the nicotine. I have several friends who have stopped smoking through vaping, and am a huge vaping supporter.

That being said, there is evidence that vaping increases incidence of pneumonia because you're still pulling a foreign wet substance into your lungs. So prior to surgery, if you can, as a nurse I would recommend weaning off the vaping. It's certainly only a fraction of a percentage of the risks to your lungs from analog cigs, so if you can't get off the vape it's still tons and tons better than smoking.

If you are still vaping come surgery time, make sure your doc and anesthesiologist know so they can pay closer attention to your lung function. And post-op, if they give you an incentive spirometer (the thingy you breathe through), USE IT RELIGIOUSLY. You absolutely do not want pneumonia post-op.

Best of luck!!

[PrettyThick1 1,860]

When I was banded I was smoking cigs, it was risky because my doctor could have given me a test and found out about it and ruined my surgery, or worse it could have affected my outcome/health. I'm happy to say that I no longer smoke because I vape - I started out at 12mg nicotine and now I'm at 0 like you. You don't have anything to worry about, everything will be fine by vaping.

[PrettyThick1 1,860]

FYI - I've been vaping for a year and it's been the most healthy time I can recall. No coughing, no colds or flu. Once I got all the gunk out of my lungs and chest (3 weeks) I felt like I had the lungs of a kid again. Don't let people scare you.

[Jene't Carver Hagood 12]

I quit smoking for my surgery May 5 was my quit date and I haven't touched one since. I used Chantix and I use Vaping. However after investing $25 in the Vapor set up without nicotine my son told me about popcorn Lung which is caused by Vaping check it out. So I quit vaping right away. Plus I have 2nd stage COPD. Good Luck with quitting!

[PrettyThick1 1,860]

popcorn lung happens when you use liquids that have 2 certain chemicals in it, not all vape liquids will cause popcorn lung (I work in a hospital and I haven't seen anyone diagnosed with that YET but Houston is full of people who vape). The one I use has only 2 ingredients - vegetable oil and mint flavoring.

[theantichick 2,204]

FYI - I've been vaping for a year and it's been the most healthy time I can recall. No coughing, no colds or flu. Once I got all the gunk out of my lungs and chest (3 weeks) I felt like I had the lungs of a kid again. Don't let people scare you.

I don't mean to scare anyone. Vaping is far and away a better choice than cigs, by every medical study I've read (and I keep an eye out for them). I would rather every cigarette smoker in the world switched to vaping based on the science available right now. However, it is *not* risk free, and no one should claim that it is. You are inhaling a foreign substance into your lungs, and it puts you at a higher risk for pulmonary complications. The risk is miniscule compared to cigarettes, and is even smaller than the risk of living in a large city, but there *IS* a risk.

[jessjames 234]

Vaping before and after surgery is fine, I did both

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

[PrettyThick1 1,860]

FYI - I've been vaping for a year and it's been the most healthy time I can recall. No coughing, no colds or flu. Once I got all the gunk out of my lungs and chest (3 weeks) I felt like I had the lungs of a kid again. Don't let people scare you.

I don't mean to scare anyone. Vaping is far and away a better choice than cigs, by every medical study I've read (and I keep an eye out for them). I would rather every cigarette smoker in the world switched to vaping based on the science available right now. However, it is *not* risk free, and no one should claim that it is. You are inhaling a foreign substance into your lungs, and it puts you at a higher risk for pulmonary complications. The risk is miniscule compared to cigarettes, and is even smaller than the risk of living in a large city, but there *IS* a risk.

There's a risk in swimming at the beach, but it's still hard to get a good parking space.

There's a risk in driving my car to work everyday, but I'm here.

There's a risk in everything you do.

[justhere4theshow 462]

I was vaping 6 mg in February when I started in my program. I immediately switched to 0 nicotine because my surgeon requires a nicotine test if you smoke, and will not do surgery on anyone with nicotine in their system whether it be from smoking OR vaping. I quit vaping completely by the time I had surgery, but I have since picked it back up and I still use 0 nicotine. I just really enjoy it. I have vaped for 4 years, and never had another case of bronchitis or barely even a cold since I switched to vaping from cigs. Is it harmless? I don't know. All I know is my personal experience which has been completely positive. I had to have a vice--no cigs, no alcohol, no junk food...so I vape, but only when I want to, since I am no longer addicted to nicotine. I just like it!

[OKCPirate 5,323]

FYI - I've been vaping for a year and it's been the most healthy time I can recall. No coughing, no colds or flu. Once I got all the gunk out of my lungs and chest (3 weeks) I felt like I had the lungs of a kid again. Don't let people scare you.

I don't mean to scare anyone. Vaping is far and away a better choice than cigs, by every medical study I've read (and I keep an eye out for them). I would rather every cigarette smoker in the world switched to vaping based on the science available right now. However, it is *not* risk free, and no one should claim that it is. You are inhaling a foreign substance into your lungs, and it puts you at a higher risk for pulmonary complications. The risk is miniscule compared to cigarettes, and is even smaller than the risk of living in a large city, but there *IS* a risk.

FYI - I've been vaping for a year and it's been the most healthy time I can recall. No coughing, no colds or flu. Once I got all the gunk out of my lungs and chest (3 weeks) I felt like I had the lungs of a kid again. Don't let people scare you.

I don't mean to scare anyone. Vaping is far and away a better choice than cigs, by every medical study I've read (and I keep an eye out for them). I would rather every cigarette smoker in the world switched to vaping based on the science available right now. However, it is *not* risk free, and no one should claim that it is. You are inhaling a foreign substance into your lungs, and it puts you at a higher risk for pulmonary complications. The risk is miniscule compared to cigarettes, and is even smaller than the risk of living in a large city, but there *IS* a risk.

There's a risk in swimming at the beach, but it's still hard to get a good parking space.

There's a risk in driving my car to work everyday, but I'm here.

There's a risk in everything you do.

You are both correct and I impressed with your perspectives. The British Health Authority said quitting tobacco with vaping is 95% safer, but they could not guarantee 0 risks. No one can. My biggest concerns are the batteries catching fire.

[KristenLe 5,979]

@@PrettyThick1 Being banded is very different than having VSG. Although you did not experience any problems - the OP is having a major surgery including removing 80% of their stomach and stapling the remaining stomach (which will require significant healing time). @@theantichick was very politely cautioning the OP to just speak to the anesthesiologist and surgeon so they are aware and can make any adjustments necessary. I don't believe she was trying to scare them - only giving good medical advice (from an RN perspective). Yes - there's a risk with everything but you take precautions to limit the risks involved - and that's all that they were suggesting.

[Fredbear 397]

4 of my 5 friends who vape have ended up in the hospital with pleurisy in the past 6 months.

"When all is said and done, usually more has been said than done. "

[Pi Sano 6]

I haven't quite cigs yet. I'm looking to Vaping Nicotine Free Vape as a Pre Op Alternative