Question:
DR NOEL WILLIAMS AND SMOKING POLICY

UNIV OF PENN WLS AND SMOKING...DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT DR NOEL WILLIAMS' POLICY IS..I HAVE A CONSULT WITH HIM ON 5 5 04...    — BARB W. (posted on February 8, 2004)

February 10, 2004
Although I don't know your doc personaly, I would venture a guess and say you must be smoke free for a minimum of one month prior to surgery. That seems to be very common. Also, did you know that the doctor who will administer anesthesia may refuse your case if you are still smoking, EVEN IF YOUR SURGEON DOES NOT HAVE AN OFFICIAL POLICY! I am a former smoker, and a pulmonary nurse. I am on post op day 5, and I quit in late December, after my consult. I caution you to quit. Smoking increases risks, period. Blood clots, healing problems (due to vascular issues), and the chance that you won't be able to remain off the ventilator are very real reasons to quit. It is hard, but please do it. I have taken care of so many surgical patients who just never got off the ventilator, largely because their lungs were not healthy enough from smoking.
   — Andrea L.

February 17, 2004
Hi Barb - I had my Lap RNY with Dr. Williams 14 months ago. Although I do not smoke, my mother does and she had her Lap RNY done last Sept. She's been a smoker for over 30 yrs and he didn't mention to her that there would be a problem. I would check with him personally, he's really easy to talk to. My mother quit "sort of" a week before, they did advise her to at least "cut down" to decrease her chances of having a hard time waking up from anesthesia. She just kept breathing with her spirometer and coughing, and she was smoking a week after surgery. Of course the healthy thing would be to quit, but I think that quitting cold turkey right after surgery would be too stressful. Your best bet would be to cut down as much as you can and depending on your own personal feelings about quitting, try to quit before surgery. This is only my opinion because I've watched my mother go through this, but please keep in mind that everyone is different. Hope this helps somewhat...take care and good luck! Christine 286/145/152lbs
   — Christine F.