Smoking

how long do you have to stop smoking before surgery?

It's likely different for every doc. 

as long as possible as smoking makes the internal tissues very fragile and it is hard for them to heal. 

My clinic requires 9 months smoke free before surgery. They do a test to ensure patients aren't still smoking.

This was the best thing to happen to me besides my RNY! Two years ago I was almost 300 lbs and smoking 3 packs a week.... now im 175 and haven't had a cigarette in years. 

How did you stop smoking? I hope they don't make me wait 9 months!! I'm so sick and in pain! They tell me it's all from my obesity. I can't live like this much longer. Of course if thats what it takes I will do it. Thanks for your reply???

I quit using e cigarettes for about a month. They worked for me! I had a number of weight related health issues too (I think most of us considering surgery do) but they make you wait after quitting smoking to reduce post op complications. 

As a smoker/ex smoker after RNY, our odds of getting ulcers is much higher.

If you are sick and in pain, then you can only benefit from quitting smoking with or without surgery.  If your goal is to improve your health, then quitting smoking should be on the top of your to-do list.

I don't mean this be snarky, I say this as a former 3-pack a day smoker who quit cold turkey 11 years ago.

One thing that really helped me during my quit, was Quit Net

I wish you success.

Good luck to you! You can do it! Quitting smoking is very hard, but the earlier you can do it, the better off you will be for both surgery and beyond. I'm hoping to have my surgery in July, but since I've been a half pack to a full pack a day smoker for over twenty five years, I figured the sooner I started, the better odds I had to be completely off by then. I did not want to be going under anesthesia again while still smoking. I'm using Chantix prescription from the doc, which has been a huge help. Took it for a week, while still smoking like I normally would then went cold turkey the second week. The first 4 days are hell. I had some nicotine gum and used that a bit those first couple of days, and just hunkered down at home. Found an app that keeps a timer for how lng it's been, and how much money you've not spent on them, which helped because the longer the timer showed the more I didn't want to break the streak and start over. After the first few days the craving**** less often, and the worst if the physical withdrawal symptoms improve.  Today is day 14 without any, and it's been over twenty years since I've made it more than 3 days. If I can do it, you can do it! Feel free to pm me if you need to chat about it. Sometimes it helps to talk to someone who gets it. 

Thank you so much for your reply!!! I hope your doing well on the chantix!!! I have been slowly lowering my nicotine levels by using ecigs for about 6 months. I think I just have to cut the cord!! My doctor requires 8 weeks, but I would like to quit longer before surgery. I wish you luck!! And thanks again:)