Question:
DOES ANYONE SMOKE NOW AFTER HAVING RNY?

I KNOW SMOKING IS A NO NO BUT IM WONDERING IF ANYONE DOES OR DID AND WHAT SIDE EFFTECTS THERE ARE OR WAS TO IT? THANKS IN ADVANCE!!!    — sl1pp1nghalo (posted on March 10, 2009)

March 10, 2009
I'm not trying to be rude here, but the side effects are lung cancer and/or death. If you are going to have life saving surgery, please don't compromise it by smoking- it is another addiction that kills. Please, just don't do it. There are some surgeons who test for nicotene the day of surgery and if it is positive, they cancel your surgery. I quit smoking years ago and it was seriously the second hardest thing I have ever done. The first is life-long weight loss. Difficult, but not impossible and so gratifying and wonderful. Best of luck, Dawn Vickers, RN, BLC, CLC
   — DawnVic

March 10, 2009
Hi Glenda, Shoot! I had a cigarette the morning of surgery, I was such a nervous wreck. I'm 3 years post op and have smoked for most of that time. To my knowledge, I haven't had any adverse effects. Ocassionally I have pouch distress, but I pop a Pepcid chewable and it goes away. But everyone is different. It may or may not affect you other than the usual things associated with smoking. good luck. Barb
   — babs71958

March 10, 2009
I smoked again after surgery about 4 days after. I noticed I was not healing fast enough for me so I quit smoking for about 3 wks and I really did start to feel better. SO then about 4wks post op I started smoking again I like smoking and if the cigs are going to kill me what about everything else that is out there to kill me any of u non smokers ever think of that. now that it's over it's your life do what you want to do as for me I have quit again this is like my 4th time they say you try hard enough you will quit. I had no side effects from smoking and they also help me keep my mind off of food. Good Luck listen to you heart and God he will help you alot more than anyone can
   — TONIANN B.

March 10, 2009
Glenda I would avoid smoking because it does cause post-operative complications with healing. I've worked for surgeons for years and see operative reports all the time where patients have delayed healing due to smoking. One of my physicians won't even operate on a patient if they admit they still smoke. I quit smoking 3 years ago so I know how hard it can be so if you can at least refrain from smoking until your healing has progressed you will be much better off.
   — mimmosa

March 11, 2009
I smoke and continue to smoke, and yes I have heard of all the ramifications of smoking, so do not need to be reminded. I suffer from Panic Attacks, ptss, and also depression. I am 45 and no I did not have any complications from smoking. Healed just fine. I had mine almost 4 years ago. Lap Rny went fine and without a hitch also. Doctor said I came through with flying colors. Also, I agree with the person that said there is always something much worse to take your life. How about the air we breathe, or the water that you drink? Not safe. Here, I am not saying smoking is right or anything, but it is an antidepressant for me. The Psychiatrist told me that. I did not know this. All I can tell you is live life and ENJOY IT! Do not be miserable. I have God in my heart and know that he will take care of me. I guess I try not to worry. Oh since my surgery I have lost 135 pounds and feel so much better. They were more worried about the effects of all the fat and weight I had at the time that was going to KILL me, than the cigs. They still say I should quit, but they do not FORCE it on me. That is the worst thing someone can do, is say you HAVE to quit or else. Eventually, I will probrably toss them, but until that happens no one can MAKE anyone do anything. We are becoming a NANNY NATION. I refuse! I do not need anyone preaching to me about cigs, does no good. I do not think this helps anyone and eventually people will quit I believe.
   — trishhooper

March 11, 2009
I will not preach like some. When I posted this same question 6 months ago I got blasted. That was not at all helpful. I smoked for 15 years before my surgery. I quit for about 2 months after. I was afraid of "stricture" like the dr said. My husband smokes like a chimney and refuses to go out side. That made it very difficult to stay quit. I still smoke a few a day and have had no problems. If I lived alone or if I could get him to go outside I would quit for good becuase I personally felt better when I was not smoking.
   — phyllismmay

March 12, 2009
Well as you know, there is no good reason to smoke...and certainly more bad reasons not to after surgery. It retards healing by restricting blood flow to stomach...There really doesn't need to be an explanation except that there is no good reason. I quit after smoking 1-1&1/2 packs a day for 24 years...I did it for that reason alone. I really WANTED it too. You'll never do it if you do not make up your mind. I decided that I was sick of wheezing, chronic bronchitis with every cold, sinus infections, shortness of breath, lack of energy, the smell in house, car, hair, clothes! Second and third hand smoke to my family, The night phlegm and thraot clearing...UGH! Heart burn, the ever rising cost of ciggs...OY! What other reasons do you really need? You'll quit when you want to quit because none of the risks and fears of smoking ever scared me enough to want to get thru those awful cravings...I used the gum and it took me 1-1 1/2 mos to do it and wean myself off the gum...I've not picked up a smoke in 6 years...It was tremedously hard the first 3 mos...and it slowly got easier and easier...At 7 mos I had a terrrible urge to smoke and almost gave in...Then again at year one...I almost wanted to celebrate with a puff! UGH! I didn't do it...but I wanted to...By the end of that year...I only thought of smoking maybe once a week...then once a month...By year three I stopped thinking of it entirely...Now I walk passed someone smoking and it gags me! But I don't complain and make smokers feel bad...It's a VERY hard habit to break...If you can give it half a shot just try really hard...I cannot begin to tell you how much better I feel since I quit. I did some research a while back and learned how my body was healing step by step and what my lungs would look like and that was soooo fascinating...So day by day I looked forward to healing and my lungs clearing up...That helped me more than any scare tactics...It felt GOOD knowing that if I made it to day 10...in a month I had more to look forward to..and 3 mos my lungs were rejunvenating..etc...Here's a quickie search I just did for such a site...You might want to look around more for videos and visuals...but you can start here! I think positive motivation is far nicer than negative approach...but knowing the risks are important as well! QUIT if you can! Good luck!http://quitsmoking.about.com/cs/afterquitting/a/after_quitting.htm
   — .Anita R.