Smoking and Lap Band

Okay so tell me if this is weird or what.  My doctor will not perform surgery on me until I have stopped smoking for 6 months.  And they do random nicotine tests.  Is that ridiculous or what?  So I quite smoking cold freaking turkey and I'm just really irritated.  Has anyone else had this happen to them?

Hi, I am not a smoker but do know that there are others around here who had to or is now quiting for surgery.  Our Dr.'s Higa and Boone will not operate on a smoker.  This is a major operation and the risk to the lungs is too great ...especially for someone who has been a long time smoker. it is EASY to get pneumonia after having such a major operation.  The dr. is really just doing this in the best interest of his patients.  It will be a test for you too...to see how well you will do during this habit breaker.  It will give you a good idea on the changes you might need to make after having WLS. GOOD LUCK! CHERI

Yes I understand that but do you think 6 months is really nessesary?  Its just frustrating for me because my dad is cutting my insurance off at the end of this year so I'm worried about getting the surgery done in time as well as getting my fills.  Also I am having back surgery in 2 days and the surgery will take 2 hours.  It would seem logical to me that if I come off the respirator fine then that I should be fine to have the lap band surgery.  Humph just frustrating to me.  

Sorry it may be frustrating for you to have to quit smoking....but anymore that seems to be the protocol for most all surgeries.

 

Last year on Dr. 90201, Dr. Rey refused to do a breast lift on a woman because the pre-op blood test showed nicotine in her system.  She was totally upset....  But in the long run it's really for our own health and safety during surgery.....

 

You can do it....and if you need support or just a place to vent.....we're here for you.  Best of luck.....

 

My name is SueBee and I am a SMOKER  31 years.   I had to quit 3 months or no RNY.  Sucks but a small price to pay.  When you go under anesthisia (sp) you are tubes.  and they deflate your lungs.  Smoking makes it difficult to recover and you make need to remain tubed longer than need be.  It is all for the best  (like I wanted to hear that from them) but .......................................  I google investigated and it is true.  Good luck to you.    Yes I am smoking again. 

Yap, I had to stop for 6 months also. I never went back. I still have a pack, I got them three days before my surgery because I just know I would go back as soon as I could. But never did.

It was hard to stop, I took the classes at kaiser. I can even tell you the day I stopped. 2/13/04, and yap that was a friday. Want to know when I stopped drink soda. 11/1/04. Now that was the flipping pits. Coffee was on first of the year. Never went back to soda or smoking, but coffee is my best freind.

 

Have a great day. Best of lucl. Remember this. Deep Breathing, Really Helps. Don't know why, but it does.

Luana

I had to be off nicotine, cafine and carbonation before I could have surgery (2 months for nicotine) .. . so I quit cold turkey on 10-3, as well as the other stuff . . . and had my surgery 12-3.  It was a choice of what I would rather have . . . and I haven't gone back to any of it  (although TODAY I'd chain smoke if I had some around me . . . jk).  I really do feel so much better without it . . . and omg the coughing I did when I was first quitting . . . I couldn't believe how much better I feel now! Good luck . . .

My doctor will not operate on a smoker either.  It will be 3 years for me on August 19th!  It was hard, very hard.  Most likely the hardest thing I have ever done in my life.  But I am sure glad I did! No more of that dry smokers cough.constantly clearing your throat, the awful smell....... If you can it would really benefit you to quit. I know it is hard.........................If I can do it I know you can!  I used the patches, which I am allergic to the adhesive.  So I would wear them on my butt so no one would notice the big red pillows on my skin! It's probably like "head hunger"  The worst mental fight of my life to get rid of the smokes. Go on the website:  whyquit.com   that helped me quite a bit.  Remember the nicotine will be out of your system soon.........it's just the "head game" after that. Good Luck!  My heart goes out to you! Jeni

I don't mind quiting smoking at all.  It sucks ya cause i did it cold turkey.  I don't plan on ever smoking again.  I'm just frustrated that they are making me wait 6 months until they will operate.  I could understand 1-3 months or something but 1/2 a year that is crazy.  Plus its frustrating to me because my jack ass of a father is going yank my insurance at the end of the year so I'm kinda on a time-line ya know.

Any thanx for all the responses it is nice to know I'm not alone.

You know most doctors will not do surgery especially and elective surgery if you are smoking. I had to quit myself and like Luana never went back. It is hard to give up any addiction, but my theory for myself is why go back when you are having this operation in the first place to get healthy and it is been proven over and over again that ciggies are not good for us. If you want surgery bad enough, you wil give up the ciggies and do whatever you can to obtain a healthy lifestyle! Good luck to you!