Smoking after surgery

[Ninjagogo 70]

Hi all, i know smoking post op increases the recovery time but once everything is all healed and things are going according to plan what can the the long term results of smoking have on a sleeve, apart from the obvious health issues associated with smoking.

Thanks

[FrankyG 1,450]

If you had surgery to remove a large portion of your stomach to get healthy, why on earth would you go back to smoking? That is going in the wrong direction for "healthy." You're clear of the addiction and reintroducing would be just... a huge step backwards for your long term health. Seems like a really poor decision.

I smoked for over 20 years. I was pissed about having to quit, but I realized that it had zero benefits, and was already causing issues with breathing, how often I got sick and how long I stayed sick. And I also decided would be really, really stupid to go back once I had been quit for months following the surgery. It wasn't easy, but I am so glad I did it.

I have had a few times where the craving hit me and I thought about it (about a year out going through some really bad depression, and again recently for another bout of depression). But the thing is, I also really, really enjoy exercising now, and I don't think I would if I took up smoking again. I had reduced lung capacity and I'd end up wheezing after a mild workout while I was still smoking. It made me avoid exerting myself too hard because I hated that feeling. So that might be something to think about - if you're trying to lose weight and exercise, smoking will screw that up for you and might just sabotage your long term goals for getting fit and in shape.

Oh, and probably give you COPD and cancer... and make you smell awful too.

[Ninjagogo 70]

well thanks for the sermon there but i already know the pitfalls of smoking and exactly what it can cause, but my original question was, how can it affect a sleeve, without the obvious to everyone health issues in general

[genn 460]

If you had surgery to remove a large portion of your stomach to get healthy, why on earth would you go back to smoking? That is going in the wrong direction for "healthy." You're clear of the addiction and reintroducing would be just... a huge step backwards for your long term health. Seems like a really poor decision.

I smoked for over 20 years. I was pissed about having to quit, but I realized that it had zero benefits, and was already causing issues with breathing, how often I got sick and how long I stayed sick. And I also decided would be really, really stupid to go back once I had been quit for months following the surgery. It wasn't easy, but I am so glad I did it.

I have had a few times where the craving hit me and I thought about it (about a year out going through some really bad depression, and again recently for another bout of depression). But the thing is, I also really, really enjoy exercising now, and I don't think I would if I took up smoking again. I had reduced lung capacity and I'd end up wheezing after a mild workout while I was still smoking. It made me avoid exerting myself too hard because I hated that feeling. So that might be something to think about - if you're trying to lose weight and exercise, smoking will screw that up for you and might just sabotage your long term goals for getting fit and in shape.

Oh, and probably give you COPD and cancer... and make you smell awful too.

So happy to hear some one with the same experience I used to get sick constantly since I quit smoking 7 months ago I haven't been sick once and when I would get sick it took me forever to feel better I would get bronchitis atleast 8 times a year haven't had it yet someone couldn't pay me to put one in my mouth. I miss it every day I crave one 50% of the time atleast but I also see the benefits and love it!!!

As for the affects on a sleeve I don't know sorry!!

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[LipstickLady 25,682]

Hi all, i know smoking post op increases the recovery time but once everything is all healed and things are going according to plan what can the the long term results of smoking have on a sleeve, apart from the obvious health issues associated with smoking.

Thanks

That would be a question best posed to your surgeon.

[Frenchie1977 262]

My surgeon told me no smoking for life after the sleeve because the risk of ulcers to the sleeve is too high

[Hammer_Down 631]

For what it's worth, we quit smoking 3 months before surgery, giving up coffee, alcohol, and carbonated drinks at the same time. The plan was to knock those habits so that during preop we wouldn't be struggling with food withdrawal, caffeine withdrawal, nicotine withdrawal, wine withdrawal and Diet Coke withdrawal all at the same time and end up killing each other before the surgery even happened.

We went to a vape shop and bought a cheap vape to try. We did not like it. We were both cigar smokers, and used to much smoother and aromatic smoke than cigarettes and the vape burned and made us cough, plus sometimes "spittle" from the atomizer would burn our lips or tongues

So we went to a different shop and said "Look, I don't know anything about vapes except that I hate this one we bought a few weeks ago. Can you recommend something smoother, bigger clouds, won't burn my mouth off RANDOMLY?"

He put together a mod (the bottom part that holds the battery), tank and atomizer that would maximize what we wanted - full flavour, smooth vapour, no back spittle through the tip. Costed about the same as 1 month of cigars for 2 people.

I never plan on smoking again, I was quit for 5 full years before last winter, and ideally I'll quit vaping eventually too. Until then, it's odourless, flavourful and since there's no combustion it is not depositing the harmful tar and carbon like cigars and cigarettes.

The surgeons at ALM had no issues with e-cig use, before or after surgery since blood clots are not linked to nicotine, but specifically to smoking tobacco.

[Ninjagogo 70]

At the mo i am using a sub ohm ecig, lots of flavour and plenty of smoke but i really miss the cigarettes, the ecig as good as it is just cant compare, looks like i'll be sticking to the ecig then as i dont want any ulcers or other complications

[Hammer_Down 631]

I don't know anyone who smokes and developed ulcers (just anecdotal evidence, not scientific). I have a few friends who are pretty heavy drinkers (no shortage of those in the Maritimes) who have ulcers and stomache problems.

My understanding was that the risk of clotting was the reason that smoking is a big no-no during and after surgery. The same reason that the surgeon's wanted a detailed list of oral contraceptives, as they often cause blood clots. Smoking and taking beth control is a huge no-no because you are compounding risk.

They wanted us up and walking as soon as we could after surgery to reduce the risk of ordinary blood clots or possible deep vein thrombosis, a potentially lethal clot in the legs.

[ella37 455]

I quit for about a week after the sleeve. I really wanted to stop permanently but between the pain and no food and no caffeine or sugar I just couldn't take it. I started up again around 8 days out. I'm going to try quitting again once I get to eat normal food again and have my diet regulated. Yes, I know it's bad for me but I just couldn't give up everything at once. I have had no ill effects.

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

Hi all, i know smoking post op increases the recovery time but once everything is all healed and things are going according to plan what can the the long term results of smoking have on a sleeve, apart from the obvious health issues associated with smoking.

Thanks

My surgeon does not perform surgery on anyone who isn't smoke free and committed to staying smoke free.

For your sake and your health, I hope you are able to take this opportunity to remain smoke free.

[TheRev 235]

No sermon here, but I quit about 3 months before the surgery.
I was smoking about a pack a day - 2-3 packs if I was drinking - and had been smoking like that for ~21 years.

I'd started to cut back a little and had been using a vape. It really helped me ease back on the smoking. My surgeon though said no nicotine whatsoever if I wanted to get sliced and diced, so I stuck to the vape and only used zero nicotine juice. Not gonna lie; the first few days were rough but I pushed through by gorging on sunflower seeds and carrots.

I've had maybe a dozen puffs since the middle of June and my surgery was in the middle of September. Honestly, ... f--- I feel great to be free of the smokes. I DO still smoke other things, but my surgeon gave me the unofficial go-ahead to enjoy that after a couples of weeks post-surgery.