have you had surgery at OSU

I am wondering if anyone here has had RYN surgery with Dr needleman. I am wondering if it is mandtory to stop smoking prior to your surgery. I am in the process of trting to quit but doing so well at it, I have heard that he suggest it strongly but that it is not mandtory is this true, I am so scared that I won;t be able to quit all together before my surgery. and suggestions from people that have at this at OSU and Dr. Needlemans teams please let me know. Thank You

Dear Jan, I didnt smoke and I didnt have Dr Needleman at OSU . But I did have my surgery at OSU.. I wanted Dr Needleman as many of us did, but there was a very long waiting list. They offered Dr Mikami to do the surgery. So I read up on him and his record was excellent. After meeting him and his staff I knew he was the doc for me. I am not sure what his policy is for not smoking. But I think its pretty much across the board preop to be smoke free. I am not sure how long you have until surgery . But you might ask for Welbutrin ( Zyban) to help you quit. I have friends who have had tremendous success with that. I hope and pray that you will wake up soon and have NO craving at all and that you can put those cancer sticks down. You are choosing a happy healthier new you and becoming smoke free will increase your health benefits. I am sorry but i have never smoked, but have had my share of addiction issues in the past. I think those of us with addictive personalities just switch one for another. LOL I am still hoping to become a full fledges sex a holic. LOL I am sorry that I couldnt help you from personal experience. But I did want you to know that I care and would be happy to help support you as you make the attempt at quiting. I do have something encouraging to add for you. Post op everything tastes different and maybe with a little of Gods help, you will develop an adversion to smoking. I will send some healing prayers to you that God gives you the strength to put them down and become the best healthier you.!!!! You CAN DO THIS!!!!!!!!! Lots of hugs and smooches, Miss Laura

I too had Dr. Mikami at OSU, and wasn't a smoker, but I think the policy is to stop smoking....I forget how far out, but yes it was a requirement. I'll try to dig out my paperwork and see if it says.... (Dr. Mikami was great! Tho I spent much more time with the 'team' than he himself - I really had no problems with him or the hospital, except that my room was right by the nurses station, and when my door was open it was noisy)

I loved Dr. Needleman and OSU. He is fanastic and his staff is very wonderful. I received excellant care at OSU. The nurses and aides were great. Dianna

I had Dr Melvin at OSU, but Doc Needleman takes credit for my ex and my surgery. He knows his stuff. The program at OSU in general is very good. They are trying to be the gold standard in WLS. Go to the OSU support group meetings and ask questions. Everyone is willing to share. Dr Needleman actually speaks at them occasionally. I would stop smoking. It's major surgery and in general smokers have issues with general anesthesia and restricted blood flow to the heart. Anything you can do the make the surgery more successful you should do. Losing a little weight before surgery helps too.

I had surgery at OSU too, my doctor was Dr. Mikami. He was great!! I am not a smoker, but I think it is a policy across the board.

Thank You all for your advice, I know this is something I must do for the surgery and MY HEALTH!, And It is a hard thing to do, but in all honesty making it a standard will be to my benfit. I will quit for the surgery if thats what I have to do and hey if I have to be smoke free for a few weeks before hand why would I start afterwards, seeing that it is such a hard thing to do in the first place. Laura thanks for your coments, I would like it if sometime we could chat on the phone I have so many ??'s and it is nice to have someone so close to chat to about it. Thanks again

Jan, I had Needleman and he is EXCELLENT. I think you will be pleased with OSU's program. It may feel like several hoops but you will be well educated and prepared for life long change. I don't smoke, had enough addiction with food. After the surgery I know why they do not wnat you to smoke, it is not just because of the CA risk later, it is the recovery. The surgery itself is VERY difficult on your body please, please try to stop and not just right before the surgery. You will be at risk for many complications if you do not get it out of your system 4 months prior to the use of anesthesia. I know too many people who have difficulty with minor surgeries due to their lung capacity. Well enough lecturing....... I wish you all the best and if you have any questions let me know. Mel