Has anyone been a smoker while having WLS....

I'm having a really difficult time getting of the cigaretts. I'm trying really hard, but I'm still not able to kick the morning one and then the one before bed time. I'm still having like 2during the day. So I'm averaging about 4-6 cigaretts a day, but it still worries me about the surgery. Anyone have any ideas about quitting. I'd appreciate it. Or if anyone was smoking when they had there surgery I'd like to hear from you also. Thanks so much, Lori June 14th a new beginning

Hi Lori I'll spare you the lecture about smoking. We are all adults and I know you know the risks. Having said that, there are many people (on the main board) who smoked up until they were admitted into the hospital and started smoking as soon as they could after surgery and had no problems. Does your surgeon have requirements where smoking is concerned? Some surgeons will not perform the procedure if a person hasn't been smoke free for 30 days. Knowing if your surgeon is one will help you with answers. Did you take and pass a pulmonary function test? The results of that should also give you some insight on how smoking is affecting your breathing. The most important thing is to be sure to let the surgical team know you are a smoker so they can take whatever necessary precautions to help you have an uneventful surgical experience. Quitting smoking is one of the hardest things I ever did, I really sympathize with you and wish you much luck in quitting, and with your surgery! ~ Trish

Lori, I know what you mean I was smoking before surgery and I said if I get approved I would quit well, to make a long story short I wasn't able to till two weeks before surgery. I finally kicked the habit. Well after surgery when I got released and made it home a 2 hour drive I started having TERRIBLE back pain, so 2 hrs back to the hospitial where they relized I had apneia (sp) where my left lung had collaped at the bottom. I turly believe that this was due from smoking, so I am glad that I atleast gave myself 2 wks. Try your hardest to kick the habit but you are not alone, if you were the tobacco companies wouldn't be billionaires! Good luck! Rhonda -85.5