gastric sleeve Recreational marijuana usage post Gastric Sleeve surgery

[existentialfatty 9]

Hi there,

New to this forum but don't feel like I have any other place to go.

I just want to emphasize that this post and forum is a judgement free, genuine place for like minded people

I really don't want a lecture about how I am "poisoning" my body or going to all this effort to "ruin it." Whilst I respect these types of opinions, I don't need them here as I want to know if there are like-minded individuals out there who are willing to share their experience.

I guess this is me more asking questions and wanting advice than telling my story so I'm not really sure where to start...

Firstly, I've been smoking marijuana for about 6 years, it's beneficial for me as it calms me (suffering from depression), keeps me creative and helps keep my binge eating under control (I know, contrary to poplar belief but everyone is different and that's okay.)

Being in a country (Aus) where marijuana is illegal and also having a surgeon who is close with your family makes it very difficult for me to talk about this to them as most doctors, nurses and surgeons will give you the classic spiel of just not smoking, which is fair.

Anyway, I'm saying all this because I want to know how long I should be waiting before I start smoking again? I was thinking around 6 weeks post as I should be healed up by then but wondered if anyone has had experience with this?

I just want to clarify. I don't drink alcohol and don't plan on drinking again after surgery and have never touched tobacco/cigarettes in my life however, being a millennial who likes to go out with her friends, I do enjoy experimenting every now and then with more "harder" recreational drugs however, that I don't plan on doing at least 6-12 months after surgery.

So, after this massive basically I want to hear your stories, all my stoner friends out there (medicinal or recreational) let me know, how long you waited, if you noticed anything different and if your relationship with food was effected + any other experiences you may have.

Again, I want to emphasize that this is a safe, judgment free zone and please refrain from commenting if you disagree with any part of this post and my lifestyle choices.

Thanks!

Edited June 14, 2017 by existentialfatty

[nyseness 76]

Hi Existentialfatty,

I'm almost 11 months out and I am also a recreational smoker. I took a break post-of for 2 months.

[DedicatedLady 139]

I've also been curious on this myself.I'm from Canada so people and cops don't really seem to care, just don't be stupid, if you see a cop driving down the alley, put out/away your joint as a courtesy haha . I have a prescription so I order it online and it shows up via CanadaPost to my door 2 days later(awesome to be totally honest). Bud or edible oil format. I've never found marijuana to make me hungry, it makes me too busy to stop and eat. The oil however, was absolutely delicious so a few times I've stopped at the bakery on my way home since I've found it goes best with a sweet pastry (absorption is also better)..However the delicious edible oil makes me hungry, so I've stopped eating my THC but smoke and have never lied to a doctor or surgeon about it. When my life is in someone elses hands for a while, I like them to know the whole story.

Oh PLUS a breach in patient doctor confidentiality is considered medical malpractice! . I'm headed for surgery in 3 weeks and don't necessarily plan on stopping when I fly back so I'll try and remember to update on this post about any effects of smoking right away.

[Nhope 146]

I would follow any post-op recommendations that apply to smoking in general, if you're smoking, rather than consuming, weed. The stress on your lungs post surgery can be intense. Make sure you've healed properly.

[DedicatedLady 139]

Naturally I would listen to everything my doctor told me. In this instance however, I'll take itty bitty puffs Not because I mean to disrespect your suggestion, but because I smoke for epilepsy which means I have to find a happy medium. I've been honest with my consultation team so far and will continue to be.

[Raychel 1]

Hey there! So I had my bypass years ago in 2003 and I smoked weed pretty soon after and had no issue! I did however end up starting to use harder stuff about a year or so after and I almost lost my life due to it, on several occasions. Please be careful! Remember once it's in you can't turn back! My struggle with with Coke and it ate away my insides to the point that I have had over 20 surgeries and now eat through a tube! I still smoke weed to help me eat some normal food and because I have severe ptsd from it all. Have fun but be careful on what you choose to use!

[Raychel 1]

40 minutes ago, DedicatedLady said:

Naturally I would listen to everything my doctor told me. In this instance however, I'll take itty bitty puffs Not because I mean to disrespect your suggestion, but because I smoke for epilepsy which means I have to find a happy medium. I've been honest with my consultation team so far and will continue to be.

I also smoke to control my epilepsy and ptsd. Have you ever tried the oils or eatable's just out of curiosity!?!

[DedicatedLady 139]

I also smoke to control my epilepsy and ptsd. Have you ever tried the oils or eatable's just out of curiosity!?!

Yes I ordered the oil as well, my supplier doesn't carry edibles, so I would just add oil to food

[existentialfatty 9]

7 hours ago, nyseness said:

Hi Existentialfatty,

I'm almost 11 months out and I am also a recreational smoker. I took a break post-of for 2 months.

Awesome, 2-3 months sounded about right! Did you just go back to smoking? Or ingest it any other ways? (I'm assuming not with brownies hehe)

[existentialfatty 9]

3 hours ago, DedicatedLady said:

I've also been curious on this myself.I'm from Canada so people and cops don't really seem to care, just don't be stupid, if you see a cop driving down the alley, put out/away your joint as a courtesy haha . I have a prescription so I order it online and it shows up via CanadaPost to my door 2 days later(awesome to be totally honest). Bud or edible oil format. I've never found marijuana to make me hungry, it makes me too busy to stop and eat. The oil however, was absolutely delicious so a few times I've stopped at the bakery on my way home since I've found it goes best with a sweet pastry (absorption is also better)..However the delicious edible oil makes me hungry, so I've stopped eating my THC but smoke and have never lied to a doctor or surgeon about it. When my life is in someone elses hands for a while, I like them to know the whole story.

Oh PLUS a breach in patient doctor confidentiality is considered medical malpractice! . I'm headed for surgery in 3 weeks and don't necessarily plan on stopping when I fly back so I'll try and remember to update on this post about any effects of smoking right away.

You're so lucky you live somewhere that is so chill w/ weed smoking haha

im pretty lucky in that I've never had a problem getting weed but as I mentioned it's a tough conversation to have with medical professionals because 90% of them avoid answering the question and advise you to quit lmao

im so excited to here your surgery is so soon!! Good luck! I'd love to hear any updates

[existentialfatty 9]

2 hours ago, Raychel said:

Hey there! So I had my bypass years ago in 2003 and I smoked weed pretty soon after and had no issue! I did however end up starting to use harder stuff about a year or so after and I almost lost my life due to it, on several occasions. Please be careful! Remember once it's in you can't turn back! My struggle with with Coke and it ate away my insides to the point that I have had over 20 surgeries and now eat through a tube! I still smoke weed to help me eat some normal food and because I have severe ptsd from it all. Have fun but be careful on what you choose to use!

Hey there! Thank you so much for sharing your experience w/harder stuff that's really interesting/concerning. I hope you're doing better now!

I've never been into coke but I've done similar which I'll probably think twice about now...

[existentialfatty 9]

I just wanna say, I'm so grateful for everyone's honesty, I really wasn't expecting such a great response to my q especially because I've searched up this topic before and only saw lectures from other people about it being bad for you etc etc

My surgery is 10 July but if anyone wants to chat or anyhing about what you're going through please feel free to message me!

[MarinaGirl 609]

I live in a US state that supports legal marijuana. I'm not a smoker but occasionally partake in edibles, usually half a Gummy bear. For me, it helps with osteoarthritis pain. I waited 8 weeks after surgery to start consuming them again; 1-3 times a week.

[PatientEleventyBillion 851]

13 hours ago, existentialfatty said:

I just wanna say, I'm so grateful for everyone's honesty, I really wasn't expecting such a great response to my q especially because I've searched up this topic before and only saw lectures from other people about it being bad for you etc etc

My surgery is 10 July but if anyone wants to chat or anyhing about what you're going through please feel free to message me!

Smoking anything is bad for you. Superheated compounds that have hydrocarbons are inherently carcinogenic, that includes virtually every kind of smoke we are around -- cigarettes, weed, bbq smoke, incenses, exhaust from combustion engine vehicles, etc. Being around people smoking cigs and weed around me as a child contributed significantly to my respiratory problems. I find it far healthier to do edibles.. for a novice it takes them a while to get used to edibles because it takes a while to hit, versus the instantaneous hit via smoking, so you quickly know what your perceived "maximum highness" is.. whereas with edibles for novices it can feel like they just flew to Mars and are in a whole new world.

For me, I prefer strains (such as OG Kush) that help deal with my severe attention deficit, that don't cause such severe munchies.

[nyseness 76]

16 hours ago, existentialfatty said:

Awesome, 2-3 months sounded about right! Did you just go back to smoking? Or ingest it any other ways? (I'm assuming not with brownies hehe)

No I'm old school I'm good with a joint or blunt. I still smoke and had no problems since. I gave it a break to be sure I completely healed after surgery and no my doctor team does not know. I told the I smoked cigarettes, which I have never touched in my life. Not a fan.