Cigarettes post op

[Rose400491 61]

Sleeved October 17th 2017.

Had no complications during surgery or post op. Healthy (no previous health problems) down 36 pounds.

I know cigarettes are bad I don’t need people telling me and I’m not posting this for people to jump on me I’m honestly looking for advice. I smoked cigarettes for about 3 months before surgery and quit two weeks before. I wasn’t severely addicted, it was very easy for me to quit. Id smoke one cigarette every day, or one every other day.

I haven’t smoked since October 1st and I just smoked today and I feel like everyone freaks out about this but I don’t see it as a big deal especially since one pack of cigarettes last me 3 weeks to a month. I know it can affect the healing process but everyone deals with stress, anxiety and depression differently I’m sure all smokers who have quit know the feeling of just craving a cigarette when you’re having a bad day.

Anyone out here have experience with smoking post op?

[Nessy76 134]

HI Rose! Congrats on your sleeve, glad you are doing well! Just a word of caution, I have heard that people, once sleeved, can have a tendency to transfer their food addiction to something new... just in case that once a day cigarette becomes more frequent. Good luck on your journey!

...and no i don't smoke, but i have a heck of a coffee addiction post sleeve.

[Mhy12784 423]

So smoking isn't about just healing. I'm an OR nurse in a facility that does a ton of bariatric cases (and a bariatric patient).

Ive seen previous bariatric patients smoke and have to come back to the OR to completely get cut open to fix all the damage smoking caused them. Obviously it's much worse in bypass patients, but it's still terrible in sleeve patients as well. Knowing what I know seeing what I've seen, I think someone would have to be absolutely out of their mind to smoke after bariatric surgery, the risks are exponentially greater than just smoking (without bariatric)

Of course I've also seen lots of thoracic cases, of which almost 100% of those patients are smokers...

If you could completley keep it under control its still bad , but if it grows into something more well than its REALLY bad

[BarbieVSG14 66]

I don't understand the concept of having a major surgery to become healthier and then continuing to do something so unhealthy.

[Mhy12784 423]

1 hour ago, BarbieVSG14 said:

I don't understand the concept of having a major surgery to become healthier and then continuing to do something so unhealthy.

While I agree, it's not so easy. I mean how many times do you see posts on here about somebody eating pizza or a cheeseburger one week after having bariatric surgery (not to suggest you can't incorporate them in a balanced diet) . Unfortunately most of us have addictive behavior, and to get ahead of the curve you just have to acknowledge it and actively attempt to improve it.

The OP acknowledges this, and I think was trying to justify their behavior as not that bad. But at least she's willing to learn and hopefully will use that knowledge to make better decisions going forward.

I mean there's a big difference between thinking smoking will just delay your healing, and learning that it could cause a perforated ulcer causing you to completely get cut open possibly septic and have a visit to the ICU for a few weeks.

Honestly I've seen that ****, and I'd rather them just kill me than put me through it.

Edited November 28, 2017 by Mhy12784

[Rose400491 61]

While I agree, it's not so easy. I mean how many times do you see posts on here about somebody eating pizza or a cheeseburger one week after having bariatric surgery (not to suggest you can't incorporate them in a balanced diet) . Unfortunately most of us have addictive behavior, and to get ahead of the curve you just have to acknowledge it and actively attempt to improve it.
The OP acknowledges this, and I think was trying to justify their behavior as not that bad. But at least she's willing to learn and hopefully will use that knowledge to make better decisions going forward.
I mean there's a big difference between thinking smoking will just delay your healing, and learning that it could cause a perforated ulcer causing you to completely get cut open possibly septic and have a visit to the ICU for a few weeks.
Honestly I've seen that ****, and I'd rather them just kill me than put me through it.

Thank you for understanding and being kind with your response. I appreciate this response! Like I said I didn’t post this for people to jump on me, i was hoping some other people could relate to me. I had a binge eating disorder before my surgery and this could be a habit I’m switching over to. Especially with mental illness’ like depression and anxiety it’s not as easy for people to just stop. I posted this to get info from others who experienced the same thing or have advice on the situation. I agree I was justifying my behavior with a “it could be worst” mindset but I’m willing to change and get better.
Thank you again for being kind with your response

[Phinley 94]

Check out vaping, man. You're not that deep into nicotine so nicotine free liquid would satisfy the cravings and is delicious.

If you're interested, I can shoot you some hardware and liquid recommendations for starting out.

[dreamingsmall 1,125]

Sleeved October 17th 2017.
Had no complications during surgery or post op. Healthy (no previous health problems) down 36 pounds.
I know cigarettes are bad I don’t need people telling me and I’m not posting this for people to jump on me I’m honestly looking for advice. I smoked cigarettes for about 3 months before surgery and quit two weeks before. I wasn’t severely addicted, it was very easy for me to quit. Id smoke one cigarette every day, or one every other day.
I haven’t smoked since October 1st and I just smoked today and I feel like everyone freaks out about this but I don’t see it as a big deal especially since one pack of cigarettes last me 3 weeks to a month. I know it can affect the healing process but everyone deals with stress, anxiety and depression differently I’m sure all smokers who have quit know the feeling of just craving a cigarette when you’re having a bad day.
Anyone out here have experience with smoking post op?

Crazy I smokked over 10, years and quite for this surgery cold turkey. And your talking only smoking three months and risking it lol.shocking.

Sent from my Vivo 5R using BariatricPal mobile app

[dreamingsmall 1,125]

Thank you for understanding and being kind with your response. I appreciate this response! Like I said I didn’t post this for people to jump on me, i was hoping some other people could relate to me. I had a binge eating disorder before my surgery and this could be a habit I’m switching over to. Especially with mental illness’ like depression and anxiety it’s not as easy for people to just stop. I posted this to get info from others who experienced the same thing or have advice on the situation. I agree I was justifying my behavior with a “it could be worst” mindset but I’m willing to change and get better.
Thank you again for being kind with your response

Before you jump on me I have mental aswell as physical illness. But after smoking after 10 year's I would still not risk it. Go to counselling to tackle addictive behavior.

Sent from my Vivo 5R using BariatricPal mobile app

[BarbieVSG14 66]

I too know how hard it is. I smoked for 20 years before my surgery, and decided it would be silly for me to continue when my main motivation was health. I'm more proud of quitting smoking than even the weight loss. Sometimes I miss it, most of the time I don't. I certainly don't miss being a slave to it. And the smell.

I concur with vaping. That's how I quit. I just tapered down the nicotine until I was at 0, then quit altogether. You should try it!

It's not easy, but can be done if someone really wants to. Just like with this surgery. If someone really wants to be successful, they'll do it. If you struggle, you utilize every tool you can find to make you successful.

[Sherry Rice 184]

I smoked for 30 years and quit old turkey 10/17/2017, the same day I started my pre op diet. Its still hard, but Im so glad I did it. I agree that Im WAY more proud of quitting smoking than weight loss.


5' 5"
HW: 259
CW: 231
GOAL: Healthy