Question:
I am Considering Surgery but I smoke is that going to be a problem

I smoke and I am wondering since I smoke do I need to quit and for how long after I try and quit can I have the sugery    — jattie (posted on November 28, 2006)

November 28, 2006
Besides the known risks of smoking for everyone, most surgeons wouldnt operate on a smoker because they have more leaks, heal slower, more complications, more pain from coughing and die more. Your surgeon can run a test the morning of surgery to check if you have smoked in the previous couple months. WLS is all about getting healthy I hope you quit NOW and get what exercise you can before surgery so your healthier afterwards.
   — bob-haller

November 28, 2006
I quit smoking the night I went to my Doctors seminar. My doctor requires you to quit smoking at least 6 weeks prior to surgery.At the time of my RNY I had been smoke-free 4 months. Good luck......Lorelei
   — Lori S.

November 28, 2006
Your surgeon will be able to tell you how long you need to have been without cigarettes before you have your surgery all for the reasons stated above. As a former smoker I can tell you that it will be the best thing you've ever done for yourself. You CAN stop smoking and you CAN be a non-smoker. You're too smart to smoke. I don't mean to be insulting to smokers but with everything harmful that we know about smoking someone would have to be nuts to continue smoke. It's just not worth the price you have to pay to keep smoking and I'm not talking about how much a pack costs these days. You may not develope cancer but you WILL develope emphysema. You don't want to do that! I know that you can stop smoking and give yourself many more years of healthy life. I tried to stop smoking several times before I was successful. I look at those attempts as "learning opportunities" and I did finally did get it right and stopped for good. Good luck and God bless you. You CAN do this.
   — Norm Smith

November 28, 2006
I just got my packey with my appts to see the Nut and Phsy dr and right in my papers it states that pt's must be smoke free 1 monthe prior to surgery and that everyone is checked and if you are found to still be smoking your surgery WILL be delayed. I too am a smoker and I am finding this VERY hard to do.I have about 2 more weeks till I have to stop. I know I am in for a battle on this I have tried many times in the past and failed I pray I can do it this time.I have to or else all I have been doing to prepare will be lost.I have smoked for 27 yrs now and it is so much a part of me, But I am trying to be + on it and tell myself that If I can go through all this to get healthy then why in the world would I want to contiune smoking and kill myself in that fashion. I have stressed over this for 3 weeks now and in about 14 days I will quit, I have patches and LOTS of gum, I am going to tell them I am on nicotine replacement, don't know if they will have me stop that before surgery or not, but at least It is better than smoking it self for the time being.Good Luck to you (and me).
   — joetta70

November 29, 2006
I know that it is very difficult to stop smoking, but if you don't stop, you should not have surgery. If you stop, don't start again. It is that simple. You will sabotage your success if you begin smoking. Weigh the consequences carefully before you decide to have a surgery this big, and than continue to destroy your own body with smoke. I don't mean to be harsh, but it is the truth. If I were to drink after having surgery (I am almost 3 years out), it goes more directly to my liver and can sooner cause liver damage that before surgery. This is the case with smoking as well. It destroys the work that the doctors did for you. This is a big surgery and a very big decision. I hope you make the right one for your health. Don't fool with smoking, make it a part of your past. My son just quit smoking, he is 6 months out now. I am so proud of him, and I know it was tough, but he did it. I am not a smoker, but my mom is and our son was, and I do understand from that perspective of the addiction to smoking. I am sorry for your pain and struggle, but you can do it, you can fight for better health and win, it just won't be easy. Take care, Patty P
   — Patricia P

November 29, 2006
I believe it depends on your surgeon, anesthesiologist and perhaps the hospital. My sister had laparoscopic RNY done on September 25th, 2006. She's a smoker, was supposed to quit 6 weeks before. She tried, but couldn't do it for more than 2 days. She was honest with her anesthesiologist about the fact that she was still smoking and the surgery went on as planned. I'm not saying this is a good thing, I don't want anyone slamming me. I'm just giving you another situation. I myself am a smoker and will be having the lap band. I have every intention of quitting smoking or else I myself will not let myself have the surgery. It really is so risky going under general anesthesia as a smoker. I'm a nursing student and during my OR rotation I've seen smokers come out of anesthesia. It is a horrific sight to see. The difference in the coughing, gagging, flatulence, and wretching between a smoker a non-smoker coming out of general anesthesia is unbelievable! Of course patient's don't remember it because of the amnesiac agent added to the anesthesia but still...it happens...believe me! This is on top of the risk of dying under anesthesia, post-op pneumonia, and all the other goodies that can happen from being a smoker and going under. The bottom line, do whatever you have to do to quit! We all know it's bad for us :) Good luck!!!
   — PurplePixie

November 29, 2006
Every doctor is different - some want two months and others want at least six months without smoking. Unfortunately smokers carry a higher risk of having complications in healing and getting blood clots after the surgery, as well as higher a higher death rate. Not said to scare you - just to tell you that I'm sure you would rather have the surgery with the absolute best chances of getting better! And getting healthy can start with something like this. Get on Wellbutrin/Zyban - it sure helped me quit prior to surgery!
   — j_coulter