Question:
What are they looking for...

I was told to quit smoking (about a pack a day) about 3 weeks before surgery... but, i waited and waited for the pcp to write my script for wellbutrin.... so, it has been about 2 weeks now and i havent QUIT, but i smoke maybe 5 a day... sometimes less. I am really trying.... and my BIGGEST fear is that they will take my blood on 9/20 and tell me when i see the surgeon on 9/24 that the surgery on 9/28 is cancelled because of the smoking..... i would simply be devastated!! I really am trying not to smoke, but its soo hard and with all the things going on this week and rushing around getting ready for surgery next week... my nerves are in a bunch..... please advise.... do you think since i have went WAYYYYY down that I should be ok?? My pcp dkd a pulseOx test, the thing on your finger, and my Oxygen level was great... like a 97 and a Pulminary Function Test, and she said she wished her lungs were as good, maybe she'd start smoking.. haha... so, hopefully the cutting back will help enough..... im sooo nervous about that@!@ Anyway, thanks for listening... 9 days !!    — [Anonymous] (posted on September 18, 2001)

September 18, 2001
I don't know the exact reason they want people who smoke to quit is, but I suspect it is because after your surgery they they want you to be able to breath deep enough to get your lungs really expanded. That is why you use the spectromiter (spelling?) in the hospital and after you go home. This is to help you from getting pneumonia. Good luck..
   — Betty M.

September 18, 2001
I knew I was going to have to be a nonsmoker for the surgery so I quit when I scheduled my consultation. (With a combo of the patch and wellbutrin) My doctor said the chances of having breathing problems after surgery are MUCH higher for people who have smoked within a few days of going into surgery. I have to admit though, I did start smoking a couple a day for the week before because I was nervous. Just make sure you don't smoke within 24 hrs of surgery! Good Luck.
   — Amy E.

February 19, 2002
The doctor told me to quit smoking because after surgery I could get a hernia from the coughing. I have been trying to quit and my kids are helping me but my surgery is in 2 1/2 weeks and I last smoked yesterday. I'm trying hard but as you smokers all know, its very hard to quit.
   — Peggy D.

March 28, 2005
The reason my surgeon gave is that smoking causes ulcers and that is a real issues after WLS.
   — njw91997

March 28, 2005
From http://www.stronghealth.com - "Don't smoke! Smoking injures your stomach and intestines. After surgery, you will have a smaller stomach and therefore a greater chance of developing bleeding ulcers." I know it's hard to quit... but I'm really glad I did... When I did, I didn't know about this book but I've heard wonders about it: Allen Carr's Easy Way to Quit Smoking. Good luck to all who are trying to quit! Angie http://www.geocities.com/tiger_angie
   — [Deactivated Member]