Question:
HELP! HAS ANYONE HAD DR. J . FROM NEWEIGH?ASKED TO STOP SMOKING OR NO SURGERY ! HELP!

MY SURGERY DATE IS THE 29TH OF OCT. AND I GO IN FOR PRE OP ON THE 23RD I AM A BASKET CASE . I HAVE QUIT SMOKING BUT STILL CHEAT FROM TIME TO TIME , DOES ANYONE KNOW IF DR.J WITH NEWEIGH DOES A BLOOD GAS TEST OR A NICOTINE TEST IF SO , WHEN ..SURGERY DAY OR PRE OP DAY? I AM SO SCARED I WON'T MAKE IT. AND I LOST THE 15 I WAS SUPPOSE TO PRIOR TO QUITTING CIGARETTES BUT NOW AFTER QUITING I HAVE GAINED IT BACK AND SOME.MY SISTER HAD RNY IN OCT , HE NEVER MADE HER QUIT SMOKING AND I AM STARTING AT THE SAME WEIGHT SHE WAS. BUT HE TOLD HER TO LOOSE 40 AND ME TO LOOSE 15. I AM CONFUSED.    — WENDY W. (posted on October 15, 2003)

October 15, 2003
I had surgery w/ Dr. J and I was a smoker. I quit a month prior to surgery, but he never did any kind of testing to make sure that I did. Dr. J is really cool and I think if you explain to him that quitting smoking contributed to your weight gain, he will be understanding. Don't worry, just call Neweigh and be upfront about everything, I am sure it will all work out.
   — Dawn P.

October 15, 2003
I had to quit smoking before my surgery also. The only way I could do it and stay remotely sane was to use the patch. I also cheated a bit. My surgeon did the typical blood gas tests before surgery and I was a basket case worrying that the CO2 in my blood from the cheating would blow my surgery. Didn't happen. Also, since the patch is pure nicotine, I still had tons of it in me during all of those tests, even had the patch on that day. nobody said a word. Talk to your doctor like the previous poster said. I know they want you to quit for 2 reasons, first is the healing issue, you do heal faster as a non-smoker and secondly, in my opinion, they sort of have you in a situation where you're jumping through every hoop they put in front of you and I think they figure that they'll get you to quit smoking just because they can. Do your best, and if you don't stop smoking, using the weight gain reason, just be aware of the differences in healing and the possible effects it may have on your breathing while in surgery. Talk to your doctor, be blunt, but if he insists on quitting try some of the products that can help you. I swear by the patch. It really does work on the physical cravings. Good Luck!
   — Ryan M.

October 17, 2003
Please DO NOT LIE to the doctor about your smoking!! If you are smoking, they need to know so the anesthesiologist can adjust your anesthesia accordingly. You will need to be monitored more closely immediately after surgery too. I feel for smokers trying to quit at this point, when your nerves are already frayed from all the waiting and worrying and fighting with insurance. Good luck to you! Chris, DS 6/02, http://duodenalswitch.com/
   — Chris T.