Newbie Smoking question??

I have been checking this site out for quite some time and I think you are all such a great asset to anyone who is even considering having wls.  I am wondering IF  you had to quit smoking before your surgery... How long did you have to be "smoke free".  I have been trying to quit since I started this process.  I just recieved my surgery date and I am hoping if I quit today that my surgeon will still do my surgery it will be 7 weeks, so what do you think???  Thanks for any input.

Lisa

I don't know if it depends on who your surgeon is or not, but my surgeon never mentioned it, but then again I didn't smoke.  I do know others who smoked prior to wls and had to quit and have heard that some surgeons do testing prior to your surgery and will cancel your surgery if you have been smoking. Has your surgeon mentioned it at all?  You should ask him what he requires.  Tina

Lisa,
I quit smoking before I decided to have surgery, so I can't give you concrete info, but I just wanted to offer you encouragement and tell you that it's going to be hard, but so worth it!
You are obviously willing to work at a healthier new you, so I have faith that you can do it!!

PS-You really have to have a plan in place if you are like I was and used cigarettes and then food as stress relief.  After surgery you are going to have some stressful times and you need to make sure you have a way to deal with that without food or smoking.  

I went thru my PAT with a smoker.  She had to quit two months before surgery.  She was taking something to help her.  I was under the impression she wasn't suppose to start back up after.  Sorry as a non smoker that is all I know.

I just went to my orientation / education pre-surgery class today.  The doctors at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit require that you be smoke free for three months prior to surgery.  I know a man that had surgery at DMC and smoked on his way to the hospital that morning.  He was supposed to have quit, he told the doctor he had, but he really hadn't.  They had to keep him on the respirator for an extra day.  It's certainly nothing to fool around with.

Most anesthetists will not work on someone who is currently smoking for non-emergency surgery since the risk for complications from anesthesia is much greater in smokers.


 I would plan on quitting-and quitting for good-if I were you.  Smoking will also affect your healing time. Just think how much better you will feel when you are both both slim and non-smoking!

Thank You all for your input,  My surgeon told  me he wanted me to quit for a few months before so I am hoping seven weeks will be enough, if not, I guess I get rescheduled. :( I have been trying to quit for almost 6 weeks now, I can go 4-5 days and then backslide.  So today is a new day to quit .  Now that I have a surgery date I do not have a choice.  I dont want any surgery complications.  Re: the actual surgery.....I am nervous but excited at the same time.  I think it is going to be a tremendous amount of work, but Im ready for it and the change it will bring in my life. 

Lisa

Good luck with your quiting!  You can do it, ask you PCP for any help they and give you.

I had my orientation at Henry Ford in Feburary for WLS and I was amazed at how many people complained about having to quit smoking and having to abstain from alcohol. I just shook my head the entire time. Quitting smoking decreases your risk of surgical complications. It's better to just quit smoking.