Smoker

I am scheduled for PAT in one week. I know this sounds stupid and please don't anyone judge me but, how important is it that I quit smoking, and will they be able to tell and cancel my surgery whicj=h is supposed to be on the 18th I'm down to like two or three cigs a day I just can't seem to give them up completely.

Hello...I work at Bariatric Treatment Center (aka Barix Clinics), I know that we require you to quit for 6 weeks before surgery, At least 3 weeks before surgery will do, but I have seen too many times where people continue to smoke and the day of surgery "sneak" one in, they always end up getting cancelled on surgery day. The hospital can do a swab test to see if you have a high amount of nicotine in your system. Smoking before surgery can cause several complications after surgery, pneumonia, a slow healing process, and a higher risk for incision infections. I am by NO MEANS judging you, but it is for your own safety and for the best recovery after surgery. Good Luck and Take Care

Nicole- I totally can relate, I have had my first appointment with the surgeon and I know I have to stop.. so I started with the nicorette gum and lots of support from co-workers and freinds and it is really working! I know that I want to be healthier that's why I am trying to have the surgery so I try to keep this in mind when I have a craving for a cig! Good luck to you and know that we all support you!

Hi Nicole Rossi well i was a 5 pac a day smoker and have been without them since nov of 03 it was the hardist thing i ever did . i used a drug called wellbutrin or somthing like that . it worked i didint think id ever be able to quit but i did and i dont even have craveings for them now . you can do it ! you realy can

Nicole, I quit a couple of years ago, using the patch. There's a website called quitnet.com (just put the www in front) that I used as well, they have a lot of free services to help you, as well as a calculator that keeps track of the money saved, cigarettes not smoked and hours added to your life. I am really amazed to learn that smoking slows down healing. I had a hernia operation, when I smoked and by god - the incision got infected just as someone here said. I have been concerned about that this time around, but since I don't smoke - I am hoping for better results. -Anne