Question:
Smoking 1 year Post-Op
I am one year post-op and have been smoking for the last 5 months. Should I stop? It is a danger to me sinc having the surgery? I don't want to cause myself danger. Thank you everyone. — Ce-Ce P. (posted on August 16, 2004)
August 16, 2004
Danger of what? Lung cancer? I don't think that being a WLS patient will
agrivate that. I don't mean to sound so harsh, but re-read your question.
I have had WLS and I smoke...and yes, I know it's bad for me.
— RebeccaP
August 16, 2004
Should you stop...why the did you even start that nasty habit back up ????
Can it hurt you ? How about lung cancer, heart problems, strokes, clogged
arteries, stinky breath, stinky clothes. How about those you smoke near,
your also hurting them.
You had this surgery to get healthy, staying that way mean eating like you
should making sure you get in you water, some form of exercising.
Please stop before it is too late. I know in my hearts of hearts if my mom
had stopped she would still be here, and there is not a day that goes by
that I don't miss her.
— domestic G.
August 16, 2004
You already "know" all the health risks associated with smoking..
so I'll NOT preach... BUT you are also one year post; unless your lucky you
most likely need some plastic surgery... You DO NOT want to be smoking with
plastic. My surgeon said the ONLY time he ever has complications is with
'smokers'... I would quit just for THAT reason, plastics is wonderful and I
would hate for it to be a disaster because of your smoking.
— star .
August 16, 2004
"Should I stop?" Yes, dear. You really should stop.
<p>"Is it a danger to me since having the surgery?" Yes,
dear. It's a great danger to you since the surgery (and before the surgery
for that matter). It is also a great danger to those who have to breathe
the second-hand smoke you are subjecting them to. <p>"I don't
want to cause myself danger." You don't? Then why did you start
smoking again? You were smoke-free for several months. <p>I saw both
my grandfathers die horrible deaths from smoking-related diseases. They
suffered a lot before they finally died. I really hope you can quit for
good soon before you do permanent damage to yourself. I really do.
— artistmama
August 16, 2004
Everyone,
Thank you for your post but no one has addressed my question. Instead of
providing information I already know about smoking and health related
issues do to smoking...I would really like if someone could address the
question in reference to the effects on smoking in reference to out pouch
at Post-Op.
Thank you
— Ce-Ce P.
August 16, 2004
Brenda Z.
Thank you for the kindness in your reply. I really appreciate your
compassion.
Thank you!
— Ce-Ce P.
August 16, 2004
Kathy...I also thank you and my heart goes out to you for your mother.
Best wishes.
— Ce-Ce P.
August 16, 2004
AMOS MOD HERE! Before this gets out of hand! PLEASE BE NICE! <P> Now
as to specific additional risks my surgeon dr philip schauer a world leader
in bariatric surgery says...
Smoking causes ulcers in post ops that can lead to all sorts of troubles,
some very hard to fix. The constant irritation of the pouch could lead to
cancer. If you werent transected it might help start a staple line
disruption. <P> We risk our lives getting WLS to get healthy.......
how sad it would be to go thru this and get stomach or other cancer:(
Plusmany of us still have underlying health issues that can be aggravated
by smoking...
— bob-haller
August 16, 2004
Sorry I forgot, if you had open surgery the coughing might lead to a hernia
requiring a follow up surgery. About 1/3 of opens get at least one hernia,
and its a lifetinme risk. I personally want to avoid another surgery
completely if I possibly can.
— bob-haller
August 16, 2004
The most direct answer I got was from my surgeons pre-op. They said that
smoking causes a lack of oxygen and therefore thinning not only to the
stomach lining, but all the organs. That thinning of the pouch lining
therefore leaves you much much more susceptible to developing serious
ulcers. When you only have a few square inches of stomach left to work
with, that's a really bad thing, and more difficult to treat, too.
— christied
August 16, 2004
WOW!! Now those two responces were REAL eye openers. I will stop
immediately. One thing I can say honestly is that I am not addicted...I
just did it because it relaxed me and I enjoyed it. So I am able to stop
whenever I want to and that is today. Thank you so much Christie D, Bob
Haller, Brenda Z, and Kelly Smith. Thank you so much...you all have helped
me so much more than you no and so much more than I can say. I did get my
surgery to become healthy because I really do not think I would have lived
through last year. And now, just 40 pounds away from my target weight...I
Do Want To Live. Thank you.
— Ce-Ce P.
August 16, 2004
Should you stop? That's entirely up to you and how long you want to live.
Dangers? (1) risk of lung cancer (2) irritation to your pouch and all the
complications that can arise with that (ulcers, cancers, staple line
disruption etc.) (3) heart disease - smoking reduces the elasticity of your
arteries and can lead to plaque build-up (4) your concern for those around
you and their safety from second hand smoke
— Cathy S.
August 17, 2004
Hi Ce Ce, I am in the same boat you are, because of stresses that went way
out of control, I started smoking a few months after my surgery and I
seriously regret it because I am having a difficult time giving it up
again.
I have a huge hernia and an ulcer, I don't know if it was caused by
smoking, I was forced to do a lot of heavy lifting.
I have an idea, we can pray for each other for the strength to quit smoking
and do it together? :)
— Tracydarlin
August 18, 2004
CeCe, I would just like to say, Thank you for posting this question. I
don't know if I would have had the nerve. I am 11 months post and picked
the nasty smoking habit back up after 6 years of being smoke free, now back
to it for a few months and trying to really quit. With all the answers and
response your question got really has inspired me to try to quit again. I
was going to the store tonite to buy a new carton and now I wont buy any. I
also am going to quit after this. What a great support team we have,
without any bashing, I appreciate it. Thanx again, Patricia 9-30-03 open
rny 314/162/162
— pateblkbrn
August 19, 2004
There is a great SUPPORT Group on the internet to help you quit smoking.
It is quitnet.com. I went on that web site EVERY day when I was quitting
cigarettes. They even have a chat room full of people who are also in the
same boat. Good Luck with getting RID of that BAD HABIT!!! Smoking is
NEVER good for ANYONE! God Bless!
— pennix122
August 31, 2004
I really don't mean to be harsh but I think some real straight talk is what
you need. No it won't hurt you one little bit to fill your lungs up with
nicotine and tar every half hour or so... I am saying all that to say what
my mom always told me as a child "Ask a silly question, get a silly
answer. QUIT SMOKING RIGHT THIS MINUTE!!!!!!!!!
— Faith B.
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