Cigars

I am post-op gastric bypass 1 month.  I've been holding off having any cigars since I was told they could cause problems with the new pouch as it heals.  I have had few, if any, issues since the surgery.  They told me that I could smoke cigars again but maybe 1 a month or at most 1 a week. (I used to have almost 1 every night. I was wondering what others have experienced around cigars.  Any suggestions/comments?

I'm new to this board but looking forward to spending more time here. Thanks, Brian

I waited about 4 months or so. No problems but it was just a one-time thing. I have read/ heard/ learned RNY'ers have an increased chance of ulcers from tobacco use. Your Mileage May Vary

I think it's something DxE posted - I'm sure if you search for it you can find it in the old posts - or maybe Dx will re-post it. Part of the reason they make you wait is because, when you smoke, it constricts the capillaries, and that slows / stalls healing.  It takes about 6-8 weeks to fully heal from an RNY. That's also why they have you on liquids / soft foods for the first six weeks or so. Now .. I'm not any sort of role model, but my opinion is that if you're doing something as completely drastic and nuts as having a doctor poke holes in you and then re-arrange your innards - do you really want to pick that habit back up?  Again, that's my opinion - take it or leave it. Anyhow - congrats making it to the losing side!! 

Welcome Brian. What Dave said. I will add though that I love a good cigar.  I quit smokng 2 1/2 years ago. I smoked a pipe and cigars every day. You would hardly ever see me without a pipe.Unlike Bill I did inhale.  I got a case of pneumonia and stopped because of that. While getting xrays for that and then a ct scan they basicly scared me into quitting. They found spots on my lungs and of course I thought the worse at first. Long story short it was scarring from the pneumonia. Since I had already stopped I just never started back.  I use to buy the Fuentes Curly Head Deluxe in about a 40 or a 42. Every now and then I will get a wiff of some one smoking a "good" cigar and I am tempted. But at this moment I am healther than I have been in many, many years so I'll pass.  I will say that thinking about it makes want to fire one up. I really enjoyed relaxing in the evening with my pipe or cigar.  pan head

My clinic would not operate on me unless I quit smoking at least  one month before the surgery. And they made me prove that I had quit by testing my urine. The first time I still had some in my urine because I was still chewing one piece of nicorette gum per day, so I had to get tested again to prove it to them that I really had quit.  There are reasons related to the surgery and recovery itself, but the bottomline is that they did not feel that it was worth it to put me through all of the risks of surgery in order to extend my life if I was only to continue a behavior that would almost certainly shorten it.  So tough love here - I feel like I got to say it, so don't hate me - it is not personal at all - sorry but this is what we are here for: WTF are you thinking? - you've come way too far bro, you absolutely don't need to pick up that bad habit again. Once a year will turn into once a month, into once a week, and before you know it you will be puffing away all the time just like you used to. Your lungs will hurt when you workout, so you'll curtail that some and then your weight management will suffer - why go there?  Please. please search long and far and find something else that relaxes you or gives you the type of comfort that you once got from cigars. A lot of guys have found that in the high they get from working out, others have become adrenaline junkies, perhaps you can enjoy some gourmet coffee...Any other suggestions guys?

I have smoked cigars for the last 8 years and I have a rather large and expensive collection that I have amassed over the years. Prior to WLS surgery I would smoke maybe 12-14 per year and even then it was only on special occasions.  I elected not to smoke even 1 cigar until I was over 6 months post op. I am currently 1 year post op and I think I have had a total of 5 in the last 6 months and 4 of them were during an anniversary trip to Las Vegas. I do not inhale and I have not had any problems with the cigars but then again I am not a regular smoker.  I agree with several of the other guys here in saying that if any kind of smoking is an addiction or a habit you should not re-start any dependencies what so ever. 

Brian, I am flying out to Montana next week for my annual fishing trip with my buddies.  We always go ALL OUT at this.  The finest cigars, imported whiskies, and the thikest stakes the butcher shop will cut us.  This will be the first time since I was post op, and all week I have been asking myself what I will allow myself to indulge in. I havent had a drink since January 28th, and havnt snoked a cigar since December.  I have been thinking that if I make a deal with myeslf now, and agree on one cigar and two drinks for the whole week, then I am better off then trying to not have anything. But, i have been really wrestling with this.  One of my buddies actually told me that he is afraid that he may be the cause if I start eating, drinking and smoking again.  At first, he was just talking about the cigars he bought and the whisked he ordered.  I mentioned to him that this would be the first time I had either or those post op, and he actually got very concerned.   I dont have any answers, just wanted you to know I have the same questions.  The only thing I keep thinking is that I wont have any guilt if I chose NOT to have any of that stuff. The funny thing is, the steak is what I am the least worried about.  My taste in food has really changed and I just dont get the cravings I use to with food.  But, what if cigars and whiskey push me over the edge???

I want to thank everyone for all of your comments.  To answer some of the questions, I never inhaled (except with cigarretes which I stopped in 97), I rarely drank with the cigars (except if I was at a party).  I'd usually have Diet coke or coffee.  I led a somwhat sedentary life, though I'm pretty involved with soccer, coaching 2 teams so was on the field 5-6 days a week.  Now I will be cutting back on some of those things (I will still coach my daughters team) so that I can concentrate on getting me to where I need to be. As far as cigars, While I do miss them, I think I'll wait until at least six months and re-evaluate.  If I ever do have them again, once a month or on special occasions will be the most. Thanks again, Brian

Just one guys experience: I love my cigars, I waited several months before my first one post-op...I took it slow to begin with, no prblems. I now smoke them when I golf; 2-3 per round with zero complications..I love them... I am not a monk, just a guy who had surgery, if they hurt my overall health I  will not smoke them, for now it is o.k. Best wishes Kev-