Questions about Smoking

[MicheleK 8]

Not sure if this has been asked before, I did a quick search and didn't find much info.

I'm a smoker and have been been for all of my adult life (ugh!). I've asked my surgeon of choice about his policy regarding smoking and he requires we quit 2 days before surgery and not smoke 2 days after surgery. This seems fairly liberal as the original doctor I was going to use required that smokers quit for 3 months prior to surgery. He even did blood tests to verify!

So my question is, what did your doc require? I'm assuming the reason for this is to help the healing process?? Why the diff between the two doctor's requirements?

Any advice/comments are welcome.

[moosey52 0]

Hi MK...My Dr. said I had to quit at least 6 wks before surgery. It helps the healing and then when your under you will have less complications for your breathing, and less chance of going into pneumonia. I had smoke for 40yrs and finally quit. I needed the help though I use the Zyban prescription, and used alot of tootsie roll pops. I just needed something in my hand once in awhile.

I know one thing I feel alot better since I quit, and talk about more energy. My last day with a cig was Jan. 8, 08. So it`s been 3 months for me now, and my surgery date is Apr.9.08.

I have that extra money in my pocket now to spend on my grandkids since I quit. Good Luck

[three sixty six 1]

i don't smoke any more, but my surgeon's office will postpone your surgery if you don't quit 2 months before surgery.

you can quit!!!! :purplebananna:

[MicheleK 8]

Thank you for the comments/support!! I've been toying with the idea of quitting for ages, and I guess this is a good excuse to do so.

I have a perscription for Chantrix, I've taken it before but it gave me horrid nightmares...BUT it did curb my cravings. Maybe it's time to give it another go.

[xxlaneyxx 0]

I gave up the night before my op. I was so worried I would be stressing without being able to smoke...but here I am 6 weeks down the line and still not smoking! I was 20+ a day and if I can do it-anyone can. Your body can heal quicker and you will feel so much more healthy.My advice to anyone is just dont smoke anymore! Well done to everyone on their weight loss journey.

[Hastings 3]

I quit with Chantx and it worked well for me. I was lucky about the nightmares, though. I'm sorry you get them.

[lessnless 1]

I quit smoking with the patch 10 years ago, after smoking 2 packs/day for 17 years. I don't miss it, never even had a craving after the first 3 months.

Back then, a pack cost around $2, a carton was $16. Anyone know what they cost these days?

[StacieS 0]

Here in TN they cost between $4-5.... I'm trying to quit now too. My doctor wants you to not smoke the week before. So I am trying to slow it down. I am also trying to stop drinking coke and not take ibuprofen all at the same time. I am a bit grouchy this week! =)

[Karen101 0]

You might want to think of it this way, seeing as you want to quit smoking anyway, use your LapBand surgery as a unique opportunity to quit your bad habbits. You are going to feel not well for awhile, so why not use this to your advantage. In my own experience in the past year, I quit my diet Coke habbit in November when I had the flu and I haven't gone back to it and I don't miss it. I was feeling crapy anyway so I used the opportunity to quit one of my bad habbits. When I had my lapband surgery in February, I quit taking sleeping pills, and have not gone back to them at all. I don't miss them. "Use the force Luke." :Dancing_wub: You deserve the best.