****SMOKING- ***

DOES ANYONE OR DID ANYONE SMOKE BEFORE SURGERY IF SO HOW LONG BEFORE THE SURGERY DID YOU STOP OR DO YOU SMOKE NOW... PLEASE HELP ANSWER... ANY COMPLICATIONS WITH SMOKERS AND GASTRIC BYPASS???? THANKS JENN

Jenn, Hi there! I am a smoker also. I did manage to stop for 4wks prior to surgery, I will be honest though. The trip to Ft. Lauderdale where I had surgery is quite a drive and I did smoke a few cigs. on the way down and that was the day before surgery. I also started back smoking fulltime probably about 2wks after surgery and continue to smoke now. I didn't have any complications with the surgery due to being a smoker, right after surgery or now almost 6mths later! Best of luck! Michelle

thanks somuch michelle, i have been so worried about the lung complications and all that i have been hearing. im just so scared and exzcited and nervous all in the same and i dont even have a date i am just waiting for my clearance from the pulmonologists from my sleep apnea test... and im alldone i turn in my stuff. it really hasnt taken me ling i started in late nov and i think i should have everything done by the end of this month. so thanks and how much have you lost asnd regrets? i could use and info pal... thnks, jenn

Jenn, Your welcome! You are well on your way so far, you are completing everything in record time! Thats always a plus to be on top of everything! What surgeon have you chosen so far? I do wish you the best and look forward to hearing how everything is progressing! I have lost 110lbs to date! I am very happy with the weight loss and right now don't regret anything! In the beginning it was hard and I did have regrets, because I really missed eating! I am happy now though and hope to continue to lose! Best wishes! MICHELLE

michelle, THANKS SO MUCH . WOW HOW THIS WEBSITE HAS HELPED ME... I HAVE LEARNED SO MUCH.... ANYWAYS I JAVE CHOSSEN DR. RABAZA FROM THE MIAMI HOPE CENTER HERE IN KENDALL, FL THAT IS WHERE I AM FROM... AND THANK YOU SO MUCH I HERE IN THE BEGINING IS SO VERY HARD CAUSE WE ARE USE TO OTHER HABITS.... BUTI GUESS IN THE END ITS ALL WORTH IT ..I JUST DONT WANT TO DIE BUT I CANT THINK OF THAT. I HAVE TO BE POSITIVE AND HAVE FAITH IN GOD AND PRAY... W/B JENN P.S. DO YOU KNOW ANYTHIING ABOUT ALCOHOL? I HEAR WE CANT DRINK EVER....

I quit smoking 30 days prior to surgery. I am 5 months post op and every once in a while I miss smoking A LOT... I want to smoke, but thinking that I have gone 6 months smoke free makes me feel so guilty for wanting to smoke... I hate not having the pleasure of walking outside and enjoying a quiet smoke. The hardest part was not to be able to replace it with food. Good luck to you, and if you can quit, do it! It is hard, but doable. You should quit at least 4 weeks prior to surgery. Not only for your lungs, but also for the healing of your scar (s.) -Vivi

THANKS SO MUCH... I GUESS YOU ARE RIGHT IF YOU STOP FOR THOSE 30 DAYS WHY GO BACK... BUT IT ISNT THAT EASY. BUT I WILL HAVE TO DO IT.... THANKS JENN

I am sorry to report the following...many surgeons test their patients the morning of surgery and cancel surgery for those who smoked, the test is supposed to be sensitive to 2 months in the past. Theres a sound medical reason for this. Smokers have more leaks. can get a blood clot easier, heal slower, have a tough time deep breathing and have a greater risk of complications and death. active post op smokers run a great risk for post op ulcers of the pouch that are very hard to treat. Becuse surgeons dont want us dying as a result of surgery most will not operate on smokers. Plus surgery is all about getting healthy, if your not prepared to stop smoking perhaps its not the time to choose surgery. Thuis all from my surgeon dr philip schauer.

Hi Jenn I was a very heavy smoker before my surgery on 9/28/04 I stopped about 6 wks before surgery and have not had any complications I am still smoke free as of today (Lord knows I really want one some days !!!) but I keep trying to tell myself one more day. My pcp has informed me that I should never pick-up the habit again saying that cigs are linked to ulcers in the stomach and if I were to get one on my new pouch I can die as they are hard to treat so sit down mark the calender buy a big bag of chocolate kisses as you won't be able to do it after and smoke that last cig.. I have lost 82pds as of my 3 month mark and I have gainned my life back.. I know it is hard but please try to quit going into to surgery smoking is just playing with your life surgery is risky already you don't need to complicate it more .. If there is anything else I can help you with please e-mail me whenever If I could stop anyone can!!!! Good Luck Laura

hi, laura thanks i think that i have clearly made a decision and i will definitlyey stop smoking. i am not a heavy smoker and actually since i started this hole process i have let it go more and more. i have heard alot of diff concerns regarding the healing for us smokers and its not healthy so if im doing something so good for my slef why mess it up... right. so tell me your doing good. is it hard.. tell me about yor experience. i would love to hear more.... thnaks jenn