POT SMOKERS?

A MAN I KNOW WANTS SURGERY BUT HE SMOKES POT DOSE THIS MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE? WILL A DR EXCEPT SOMEONE WHO SMOKES POT AND LIKELY TO GET THE MUNCHIES ETC?

hi pam, i live in tn and i am pre op, i stopped smoking cigarettes one year ago to qualify for the surgery. my friend had the surgery in january04 in knoxville and her dr did not telll them anything about not smoking. she said that some of the patients smoked as soon as they went home and some smoked while at the hospital. when they went for their walks. I would think that smoking disrupts the function of the lungs and morbidly obese people must have as much "GOOD " going for them before they get on the table - so i would say he should really consider stopping smoking - also, most people say that you won't want to eat after the surgery - also my friend does smoke weed and i haven't asked her if she get the munchies like before but i will ask her - please tell your friend to do more research about wls so he can be as informed as posssible - good luck with his decision

Does the pot show up in your post op testing every year? has your doctor ever questioned your pot smoking I am very interested ?

pam please go to this site - smokers (Dave S) it is from 4/04and read the stories, I think it will help you and your friend make an informed decision. It is on the addiction forum message board about 4 - 5 below your message - i don't think it is called smokers but the mans name is Dave, I know this will help

I've actually only started smoking pot regularly (1-2 times a month) since I had WLS. I get the munchies - a craving for food while I'm high, but it's not true hunger, and if I eat anything I get very nauseated! So I usually steer clear of food while I'm high. I don't know if a doctor will accept a pot smoker...Depends on if they run any drug tests I guess. I smoked regular cigs before, during, and after my surgery. I can't quit, and I'm THRILLED that I found a doctor in my network that accepted a smoking patient...(Though I did say that I had dropped down to 1/4-1/2 packs a day) I hope this helps! If your friend ever has any post-op pot concerns, feel free to email me, as I've said, I have a little experience! ~Sabby Lap RNY 05/18/04 315/255/160

Some surgeons will not touch you if your a pothead because they think you'll gorge on munchies, and wind up out-eating your surgery. What they don't count on is that there are some people just don't get the munchies. For me, I am a regular smoker. Sorry, but if you only smoke once a month, your not regular.... your a part time smoker. There is a big difference- both in side-effects and in how it affects your body. I use about 2 to 3 grams per day (about 4 to 8 doobs a day). I have noticed that I do still get the munchies, but I ignore them as much as possible. When I do munch out I choose simple stuff like nuts or seeds or i'll eat some cheese & crackers(4 crackers) or drink lots of water. I shouldn't tell you this- but I will... I was smoking pot up until 48 hours before the surgery. Ciggy's were out, but I refused to give up my weed, man. I had no problems with the surgery of the recovery that could be attributed to the pot use. The only problem I experienced was taking a toke when I got home- the first two or three puffs on the first doob were cool- than I hit a lungbuster and coughed... and coughed and coughed some more. Three months out- still smoking my weed daily and no- not gaining weight and no- not munching my face off.... If its that big a deal for your friend tell him to shut up about his using pot , and the surgeon won't know... -OR- tell him to be up front with his surgeon and get the surgeons advice- which is what I did and was told to quit 5 weeks before the surgery... but be warned the surgeon may also telll him to **** off.