Question:
any smokers out there that didnt stop smoking before surgery, what if surgeon never
told you that you should. Please help i'm a smoker scheduled for surgery nov 11,2003 — Tanya W. (posted on October 5, 2003)
October 5, 2003
Your still better off quiting NOW. My surgeon says smokers have more
complications. Leaks, breathing troubles, some requiring intubation, slow
healing, ulcers, the list goes on. WLS is all about getting healthy, why
not give your body a break so you can heal properly..
— bob-haller
October 5, 2003
Tanya, Iam a smoker and my Doctor didnt require us to stop smoking and I
did just fine. Iam not saying smoking is good for you, but I went threw the
whole think fine. Acually I didnt smoke the 4 days in the hospital but as
soon as my Husband picked me up, I lit right up. I really should have
stopped but couldnt. Well good Luck on Your New Journey 7 1/2 weeks post-op
and 60 1/2 pounds lighter. Christine
— blainejrjeni
October 5, 2003
Hi Tanya. I'm a smoker and I didn't quit either. However, I did cut back
significantly. I have had NO problems whatsoever. No leaks, ulcers,
intubations, nothing. Try to cut back if you can - it will help. FYI, I
also had good blood oxygen levels AND did the breathing treatments great -
the pulmonologist (sp?) couldn't believe it.
— Cheryl M.
October 5, 2003
Ah, smoking. It's the bane of my existance. I have ulcers which are
probably a direct result of my smoking...Our pouches are already
susceptible to ulceration, and smoking only serves to exacerbat this. They
will probably never fully heal unless I quit smoking. I am also
traumatized because lately my voice has been "skiping out" every
now and then, like a bad cd. Will I be one of those people who has to hold
that thingymabob to her vocal cords to speak? Gott quit (again!).
Well...year 36 is coming up...maybe this time will be for good. Anyway,
even if your doc isn't on the "you must quit NOW" bandwagon, give
it a try...it can't hurt...
— rebeccamayhew
October 5, 2003
If you don't qui, PLEASE tell your surgeon as there is more complications
and he/she can be prepared for it. Even if they didn't tell you to quit, I
believe it's only fair to them that they know.
— Janet F.
October 5, 2003
I have never been a smoker but my surgeon does require 3 months smoke free
before doing surgery. I know two people in my support group that did not
quit prior to surgery (lied to the doctor) one had a leak and was on a
feeding tube for quite some time. She is ok now but it was touch and go
for a while. The other also had a gastric leak. I was warned that smoking
poses an 80% greater risk of a fatal leak to a new post op.
— Happy I.
October 5, 2003
Has your surgeon told you what smoking has to do with your stomach? I was
surprised when my nurse friend told me. You might ask him/her.
— doodlebug
October 5, 2003
As I understand it from the pulmonologist, smoking inhibits oxygen
absorbtion into the blood stream. If you have low oxygen levels in the
blood when they check you out just befor surgery, they could postpone
surgery. It also can cause complication during surgery. I would work on
cutting back. Best wishes -
— M B.
October 5, 2003
All I can tell you is that I quit the August before I went for my consult
because knew that my surgeon wouldn't even consider the procedure without
my quitting. I am SO glad that I did because firstly, I had a great
motivator to succeed (the surgery I needed so badly) and secondly, I had a
difficult enough time breathing right after surgery. I could not imagine
how difficult it would have been if I had gone in as a smoker. The best
news of all is that I am still a non-smoker (never will I say
"never" though - I have to be diligent about it) and it's been
over 2 years. I know how hard it is! Do your very best and know that it
will be easier - way easier - after surgery if you are able to do it. Best
of everything to you!
— Cathy K.
October 5, 2003
i'm a recent ex-smoker. and i have to admit I LOVE TO SMOKE! i really
didn't want to quit. i even thought about quiting for the surgery and then
starting back up(i smoked for 15 years). then i really got to
thinking.....i'm having major surgery to make me healthier and better my
life, but i'm still wanting to smoke?????? so i told myself if i'm REALLY
having the surgery to be healthy then i need to ditch the smokes. i did
quit for good before surgery and i am very glad i did. i had open RNY and
coughing really hurt.
— franbvan
October 5, 2003
Had a cig at 5 am (checked into hospital at 5:15 for surgery) and my next
one was 6pm, 4 hours after surgery. Zero complications BUT my surgeon and
anesthesiologist were completely aware that I smoked. Please DO inform
them!
— [Deactivated Member]
October 5, 2003
Ruth, just curious, what Hospital permitted you to smoke in the building in
a drugged out condidtion.
— faybay
October 5, 2003
I'm not a smoker but my doctor required all his patients to be smoke free
before surgery (at least 2 months). How do they know you haven't smoked? My
doctor does a blood gas test the morning of surgery and if it reveals
you've been smoking he will cancel your surgery! I don't know if all
doctors do this but this is just a little FYI for those who wonder if they
can tell.
— LynneSteinmetz
October 6, 2003
Hi, I too am a smoker. Gave up with Commit lozengers for a month prior to
surgery, however started again after 3 weeks post-op. Try and cut down.
For me personally I found this op quite harsh on the lungs. I still yawn
in a funny way, like kind of swollow it. Just make sure your Doc knows.
Good luck and God Bless. V.
— Venetia T.
October 6, 2003
Fay, you made me smile...sorry. I didn't smoke IN the hospital. They
(Sacred Heart in Spokane, WA) has a patio/balcony off the third floor where
patients can go and smoke. I was up and out the door, dragging my drugs
with me ASAP. Frankly, and I am NOT promoting smoking (God forbid), I
think the wanting of a cigarette got my butt up and out quicker than
anything.
— [Deactivated Member]
October 6, 2003
Hi Tanya,
I have smoked for many (25) years and have never stopped or quit, I smoked
right to the hospital, put it out at the door. I had surgery Sept.16,03,
and have not smoked since. I figure 5 days in hospital and the first 3 1/2
on morphene was the best gift I could give myself for a stop smoking tool.
After surgery my smelling senses REALLY came alive. I smell so many smells
now my husband is going crazy helping to search it out. To date I have not
had 1 hit either.... OHHHH ! yeah I want one, but to be honest I would
rather not smoke now because I do not want to smell any longer.
Hope this helps !
— Robin G.
October 6, 2003
Hi Tanya,
I have smoked for many (25) years and have never stopped or quit, I smoked
right to the hospital, put it out at the door. I had surgery Sept.16,03,
and have not smoked since. I figure 5 days in hospital and the first 3 1/2
on morphene was the best gift I could give myself for a stop smoking tool.
After surgery my smelling senses REALLY came alive. I smell so many smells
now my husband is going crazy helping to search it out. To date I have not
had 1 hit either.... OHHHH ! yeah I want one, but to be honest I would
rather not smoke now because I do not want to smell any longer.
Hope this helps !
Robin
9-16-03 250/221/160
— Robin G.
October 6, 2003
Well, you're making a big change, might as well give up smoking too. Sure
it's not easy. I had complications after surgery and I know if I had been
a smoker there's a chance I wouldn't have made it. I had fluid in my lungs
that sort of solidified. You need the strongest lungs possible for this
surgery.
— mrsmyranow
Click Here to Return