Question:
I have to quit smoking before surgery.

Has anyone cheated and smoked cigarettes before surgery?    — marcia5000 (posted on January 15, 2009)


January 15, 2009
I don't smoke, but I did have someone in my nut class and they smoked before surgery and the dr. postponed the surgery. He said there was some type of patch that they put on him and his nicotine levels were too high, so they cancelled the surgery. He said he had to wait 3 more months before he could have surgery. It may be different with each doctor. Hope this helps.. Nicole
   — Nicole Wilson

January 15, 2009
Not to be rude, but why are you bothering to has wls if you're smoking? I smoked for ten years before wls, and there really is no point in trying to save your life with surgery if you're going to take a chance of dying from lung cancer every time you light that smoke. Sorry if you think I'm a jerk, but that's how I feel about it. Don't get me wrong, I'm no hypocrite (however you spell that), but just keepin' it real. Good luck...try Chantix, it worked for me.
   — [Deactivated Member]

January 15, 2009
The issues regarding weight loss surgery not being compatible with smoking have to do with the dangers of major surgery. Morbidly obese bodies that also smoke have heart problems, circulation problems, breathing problems, coughing and other risks during and after surgery. Doctors will not do this surgery on smokers because they are much more at risk for severe and life-threatening complications. You must stop smoking and not even think about "cheating". You have got to be honest with yourself and with your doctors, or the whole idea of weight loss surgery will be a failure. There are products that can help immensely with quitting and with support and your doctors help, you can do this and never look back. Good Luck! Flora Metrick
   — MusigalF

January 15, 2009
Marcia: You know what I heard in your question? Hey has anyone done this so I can say it's not that bad when I do it. I think you need to do some mental housecleaning. If you're not willing to commit to whatever your doctor says you have to do or must abstain from, then you're not ready for this surgery. Coming to this website for support is great. Coming here to find out who's doing what wrong stinks.
   — Shirley D.

January 15, 2009
I have "heard"...don't know if it's true, that surgeons will cancel surgery because they find nicotine in your system (up to 15 minutes just before surgery!) WLS alone constricts the arteries in your stomach...and so does smoking!!! (making healing near impossible to heal quickly and safely without that good blood flow)...Blood clots are particularly worrisome for surgeons without the having to worry about how smoking can cause them!! Smoking is famous for causing blood clots!... The "junk" and poison in ciggs AND chew can cause ulcers, infections, gastritis...and other complications...You only cheat yourself if you smoke and let them operate on you... I know how hard it is to quit! I smoked 24 years and quit a year prior to surgery with the gum...Took me a month...and I am 6 years smoke free...5 years post op! QUIT!!! I wish you luck...I sympathize! I truly do!
   — .Anita R.

January 15, 2009
You can cheat all you want, but they will test you just before surgery and if there is any nicotene in your system, they will cancel your surgery. I completely understand, I smoked for 10 years and quitting was the second hardest thing I have ever done. This WLS is the first most difficult thing. Find a way to quit with your doctor's help- it is a deadly addiction and it can be done. Find the strength and do it. Best of luck, Dawn Vickers, RN, BLC, CLC
   — DawnVic

January 15, 2009
Sweetie I am not going to be ruff on you..but I can tell you this two years ago I wanted this surgery very bad...but found out I had to stop smoking..well needless to say..I wanted my ciggerette more than surgery...what a dumb mistake...but here I am again.two years later and I quit smoking Nov 22, 2008..because I want to get healthy..I know its hard I smoked for 40 years...but I just started cutting back a few less ciggs aday..until I thought this is enough..I am Done..I want this surgery sooooo bad..So all I am saying is...make up your mind to quit and you can do it..I didn't use a patch or gum...just didn't want any nicatine in my system...You can do it...I am addicted to suckers now lol...Good Luck...
   — Bev Bucklin

January 15, 2009
My Dr required me to quit also. His words were that he had not lost anyone to the surgery and I was not going to mess up his rep.... I thought it was kind of funny but did some research... smoking can really cause complications in your recovery process. I am not going to lie, I do still cheat everynow and then when I have a really bad day but I just get back on the horse and tell myself that I need to make this work. I quit cold turkey but I just knew that I wanted the surgery more than the cigs... It is very hard, my husband smokes like a chimney and will not go out side or even into another room. All I can tell you is that you have to decided what you want to do and stick to it. If you fall off the wagon just get right back on. I will not lecture because this site is about support not preaching and I hate it when people get on a high horse and start preaching I don't know about you but if I wanted to listen or read a sermon I would go back to church.
   — phyllismmay

January 15, 2009
How serious are you about this journey? How serious are you about your health? How serious are you about being successful? This is a drastic measure - and one very worth taking, IF you are serious and adhere to your doctor's instructions. God bless you.
   — NJOY

January 15, 2009
I am a smoker. Right before my surgery, I tired to quit smoking. I know that it isn't easy. I had gotten down to 3 or 4 a day. I had surgery and it took me longer to heal than it would for most people. If you can quit, please try to. If you can't, please cut down on your smoking. It will be easier on you after your surgery.
   — CHEWAWASRULE

January 15, 2009
Marcia, here is the problem with cheating on anything. It is like shooting yourself in the foot. You cannot disobey your doctors orders and cheat with liquids and be successful. You can't smoke and cheat and be successful. It lies to your doctors and tells them that you are not ready for the surgery, but more importantly than that is it sets you up for failure. You either find the grit to do what is right. Deal with the issues that make you cower to food and other lusts instead of taking control of those areas of your life, or just don't have surgery. I am not trying to be mean, but thousands of people cheat their way both too surgery and after surgery, and they are either dead or wishing they had never had the surgery. I've never met a successful cheater. Surgery is WAY too dangerous to play with, and I hate to see you sorry for something after the fact. There is help and you can do it, but if you choose not to, that is also a choice you can make. Take care, Patricia P.
   — Patricia P

January 15, 2009
I was to quit smoking before my surgery, but not. They told me that if I come in smelling like a cig that they would cancel my surgery, yah right! I was scheduled for surgery at 11 AM and had to be there and hour before. They did not start on me until like almost 5PM. Needless to say I was free to roam the hospital until about 4PM. The point is I was so nervous for this surgery that yes I did smoke several times throughout the day. I know smoking is bad for me, global warming and everything else under the sun. Blah, Blah, Blah! So, I do not need to hear it from everyone else Thank You. This is the Nanny Nation, geeeeezzz! I still smoke. My surgery was July 18th 2005. I have since lost 130 pounds thanks to God and my surgeon. I was told to quit smoking too, but they say I came through surgery at 41 like a trooper, absolutely no complications. So, there you have it. Good luck to yah!
   — trishhooper

January 16, 2009
Like some have said a lot of surgeons now test for nicotine in the system. Please quit for your own benefit. It will make healing a lot easier on you. I had quit for almost a year before my surgery and about 1 month post-op started smoking again. I am almost 6 months post-op now and still smoking. Wish I had never started again. It is a horrible addiction and I am trying to better my life by loosing weight and right now I am working against my lungs and everything else. Please at least quit 60 days before surgery. Healing will be much much easier!
   — bridgadean

January 16, 2009
I just want to say it is not easy to quit. I have tried many of times. I've tried cutting back, Chantix, patches, gum, and this year I tried hypnosis. It worked, and I loved it. Best thing I ever did. I know I would have to quit for the surgery but I really wanted to quit for me and my kids. I wish you the best of luck.
   — dsquire




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