Question:
How long do you have to have quit smoking to get approved? quit 5 months w/relapse

   — letmebelittle (posted on October 8, 2009)

October 8, 2009
I quit May 18th 2009 - my surgery date is Oct 20th.... It is worth it to me. I only smoked to hide the weight from my own self, and try to blend in. I want to stand out now, and not for a smoke. (smoked 20 yrs and quit cold turkey) You can do it... :-)
   — Kelly M.

October 8, 2009
Hi there,alot of Dr.s are about getting healthy after your surgery,and most Dr. do a blood test for nicotin,yep I quit cold turkey 3 years ago. The reason also why they want you to quit is you,ll heal faster so they say!!!!!!Good luck
   — rebecca W.

October 8, 2009
My surgeon will not perform surgery if you have smoked within the last three months pre surgery. I personally think this is a good thing. If you are not disciplined enough to give up smoking then you will most likely not do well as a surgery patient. Both of these take lots of will power and smoking is an all or nothing addicition. I can understand why people have lots of problems with food since it's not all or nothing but smoking is and is therefore very doable.
   — rkurquhart

October 9, 2009
my Dr didn't require that I quit, of course he told me that it would be better if i did though. I was able to cut back before surgery, but I wasn't able to quit completely, and i wish I had of..I ended up getting a blood clot ...so if you can quit, do it, it will make things much easier
   — grasstango

October 9, 2009
I guess compared to some I had it easy... mine was 2 weeks but he did test for it before the procedure to make sure.
   — phyllismmay

October 9, 2009
Yes, when I went to see Dr. Marymor at Barix he told me no smoking AT LEAST 6 weeks before surgery for the sake of avoiding clots. Then he added on "You can't lie about it either because we have ways of testing you". LOL. Not sure if he was right or not, my insurance never got approved so I'm still waiting and still NOT smoking.
   — KELLY R.

October 9, 2009
Well Laura I quit cold turkey almost 3 years ago and I feel so much better for it. I can breath better now if I can just lose the weight I would be hot stuff
   — imonly30yo

October 30, 2009
Hi Laura, my physcian requires a 3 month wait after you quit smoking before he will do surgery. I am struggling with this right now. Believe me, I know the dangers of smoking, but I sure do miss my "best friend". Good luck to you!!
   — nursedeby