Question:
does any person who had quit smoking for the surgery started back.

I was a big time smoker and have quit to have my surgery.Im concerned now that if I have a weak moment in the future and smoke I could get really sick or worse.Maybe This time Im quit for good I pray but I was just wondering.    — jerry1960 (posted on January 4, 2010)

January 4, 2010
Jerry, I had LAP/RNY three years ago but I had quit smoking 23 years before that. I applaud your desire to quit and, believe me, it is worth it. Every time I had a craving for a cigarette I just told my self that all I wanted was that first puff, the I filled my lungs with air and the craving passed. Good luck - you'll be happy with the surgery and with not smoking!
   — Muggs

January 4, 2010
I was a big time smoker too - the kind that lights up every time I see one of those sappy quit smoking ads. I had to quit for my rny on 12/23. I am now 13 days p/o and the thought has crossed my mind many times. However, I think about how incredibly difficult it was for me to quit for that long every time I think about lighting up again. That seems to be enough to stop myself from thinking about it again. I think quitting was the most difficult thing I've EVER had to do! I know that if I start up again, I will NEVER attempt it again. I even watched 2 people that I love dearly die from lung cancer, and that wasn't enough to make me quit. I couldn't even do it for my own children! This was! I'm not so sure another opportunity will ever come along that will make me want to quit again. Every day I feel different about whether or not I'm going to stay a non-smoker, but for today, I plan on being a forever smoker. Tomorrow I might feel different, but I'll work through each craving as it comes and remember how bad I wanted this surgery and all the hell I put my family through as I was quitting. I don't want all of that to be in vain. One poster suggested taking a deep breath. I have to agree with that. It does seem to help. Try that and if that doesn't work, do something else until you are distracted and forget. You will forget! Take care, Kristin
   — taylork25

January 5, 2010
I'm very happy to hear you quit for good. I did too abut 6 years ago. I had RNY a year and a half ago. I just feel this way. What would be the point of having surgery for weight loss if you are going to go ahead and kill yourself with cigarettes? I know there's smokers out there, but I gotta call the shots the way I see them. I am so darn glad I quit. It was hard, but being sick from cigarettes was harder. Good luck with your journey, and congrats on quitting!
   — katiecakes

January 5, 2010
I quit smoking 1/9/09 and had surgery 5/26/09, started smoking again 10/09. I made it 10 months. I really wish I had never started smoking again and I am sure I will try to quit again. Smoking has not caused me to get sick. Good luck.
   — dsquire

January 6, 2010
I'm 3 weeks pre op surgery jan 28th and quit for surgery but am still thinking i enjoy smoking, wishes it was good for a person... hoping i don't start back up after everything is all done... Although it is good to hear that someones did and is feeling okay. all i hear is horror stories if you smoke after WLS... I'm just taking one day at a time.
   — ---tina---