Question:
My son drinks heavily & chews tobacco. Is it safe for him to have the VSG?

Does anyone else have similar habits and what are the health ramifications on the sleeve long term? Will he be okay? I know it is not an ideal situation, but these are his addictions along with over eating. I'm hoping if he can go forward with the surgery, it will help him to change his life.    — EsmeAnna (posted on February 2, 2011)

February 2, 2011
This is just my opion and my experinence. You need to deal with your additions before the surgery. Or the surgery will not work. For me the surgery and the changes that took place were very stressful at times. And if I had not delt with my additions first I would of failed. Each day is still a struggle. Some days better then others. Some people that didn't drink very much or at all before the surgery turn to alochol after the surgery. They refocus their food addition to another addition. If your son wants the surger bad enough he will get his additions under control before he has the surgery. I would hope that a doctor would not do the surgery till he does this.
   — dsquire

February 2, 2011
Will the doctor even DO the surgery on him while drinking and using tobacco? I know my surgeon was very strict about some things and these are two of them. I don't smoke or drink so it was not an issue for me but I sure know it was in the rules for his office.
   — tfqh99

February 2, 2011
I think your son should get counseling before he even thinks about WLS. With three addictions he will probably overcompensate with one of them when he can't overeat. My thoughts are with you and your son. I know how hard it must be for you to see him with these problems. I had a friend with a drinking problem who went to AA and it changed his life. Good thoughts to both of you. Maureen, Akron
   — Muggs

February 2, 2011
I think a good Doctor would NOT operate until these issue are subsided for sometime. Just my opinion. I do not think that either would be good for a post surgery pouch.
   — That_816_Princess

February 3, 2011
It is absolutely not safe. Any weight loss surgery is going to require a specific regimen to be followed. When drinking (especially heavily) a person will not be alert or responsible enough to follow the rules. No judgement here, I'm speaking from experience. Maybe more importantly, the empty calories consumed from alcohol will counteract any benefit gained from the surgery. As far as using tobacco products goes, the nicotine dulls the appetite and may cause the person to not eat enough of the nutritious foods required after surgery. It's not an easy way out. Whether it's the sleeve or otherwise, he would have to follow the rules in order to be successful. It's about being willing to change your whole life in order to be healthy and strong for the remaining time you have. My Bariatric team absolutely does not approve anybody who cannot or will not quit drinking and using tobacco in any form. In my opinion, there would be disastrous results. I quit alcohol in 1988, quit smoking in 1989, and finally finally am getting the tool I need to quit my last addiction... food. It would have never worked the other way around and I hope you will continue to research and help your son understand it is not going to be the magic needed to entice him into quitting the other two habits. If anything, it's difficult enough to work with that it would make them worse and create a downward spiral moving faster than they already are. Pick your poison.
   — Ruthie D.

February 4, 2011
One program I was in (went a different direction for surgery) actually does BLOOD TESTS to PROVE you are nicotine & alcohol free, prior to surgery. I have met four different surgeons, ALL said you MUST be alcohol and nicotine free. Tell him to start working on his addictions ASAP, if he wants any form of bariatric surgery. Brenda : )~
   — Brenda C.

February 4, 2011
It's not safe for him to have it. My doctor required a person to stop smoking for one year prior to surgery. I'm not a smoker, but that was a huge requirement. The liver goes through so much that he would have to stop drinking. After surgery, he would not be able to drink because he would become intoxicated quite easily could get alcohol poisoning. I have a friend who had a perfect vsg surgery but died from alcohol poisoning because he took to drinking after surgery with his shakes in order to combat his food addiction. He didn't make it 6 months. Ultimately it was his liver that could take no more. Your son has to quit drinking and quit the tobacco first. The liver takes a huge hit from the rapid weight loss. Not only that before surgery, the liver needs to be in good condition prior to surgery. I had to do a liquid diet to make sure the liver wasn't fatty, but my liver has always been great so no problems. Not so many people have the kind of healing power my body has. I am so glad you asked this question because it's extremely important for people to know going into surgery.
   — Corina C