Question:
What happens if you didn't quit smoking 6 weeks ahead of time?

Plus the weight loss i didn't lose the full 25lbs the dr asked because i DID quit smoking so i gained back 15lbs that i had lost..Will he cancel my surgery? Please help    — [Anonymous] (posted on July 15, 2001)

July 15, 2001
My surgeon didn't require us to quit smoking prior to surgery, but I wish I had. I was on oxygen the entire time I was in the hospital. I didn't think this was strange until a girl who had surgery the same day came to visit me and said she wasn't on oxygen at all. I have heard horror stories about severe breathing problems after surgery from not quiting though. I guess I was lucky. At any rate, I wouldn't suggest taking it up again to help you lose the required weight. I have noticed that most surgeons in my area will tell you to lose a set amount of weight, but when it all boils down to it, as long as you lose SOMETHING, they will normally proceed with surgery. Good luck, and don't pick up the cigarettes!!
   — enjo4

July 16, 2001
MY Doctor will not even do the surgery if you smoke! And while we are on the subject. Why are you even wanting the surgery? Isn't it to improve & Extend you life. Smoking does nothing to to improve or extend anything. STOP SMOKING ONCE AND FOR ALL.
   — Christine B.

July 16, 2001
MY Doctor will not even do the surgery if you smoke! And while we are on the subject. Why are you even wanting the surgery? Isn't it to improve & Extend you life. Smoking does nothing to to improve or extend anything. STOP SMOKING ONCE AND FOR ALL.
   — Christine B.

July 16, 2001
A person's ability to overcome their addiction to cigarettes is not a measure of their desire to improve their health. Of course smoking is damaging to your health and you should continue to try to overcome it. But your weight is also an issue. Be honest with your surgeon. Let him know what has happened with the smoking and the pre-surgery weight loss. Right now it seems you are being asked to chose the "lesser of two evils." Addiction, whether to cigarettes, food, drugs, or whatever, sucks. It's not something people do because they're are weak or unmotivated and it doesn't make them undeserving of compassion. I wish you the best of luck with your upcoming surgery and in your battles against your demons.
   — BethVBG

July 16, 2001
As I understand it, it's an issue of being able to breathe freely after surgery. The last thing you need is a challenge with breathing or devleoping pneumonia. I do understand, belive me. I quit over a year ago - my surgery is tomorrow and I feel like smoking a whole pack right now!! Ask your Doctor if you can use the nicotine patches -- I used them to quit and they really helped. I smoked for 15 years...enjoyed every cigarette I ever smoked. Just needed to breathe more than smoke. May God make it easy for you to quit! Best,
   — blee01

July 16, 2001
As for whether your surgeon will cancel the surgery, each surgeon has his/her own policy. My surgeon will operate on a smoker, but makes it very clear about the additional risks. I quit one month prior to my Lap RNY in Dec. 2000. I have remained MOSTLY smoke-free since then, but it has been a real challenge lately. I used the nicotine patch and Wellbutrin SR to help me quit, and it wasn't that bad at all. Best wishes and good luck quitting.
   — Maria H.