Question:
Will some surgeons not do the surgery if you are a smoker?
I am considering Dr. Barzume in Dallas, TX. I have heard some doctors make you quit smoking weeks or months before surgery? Does anyone know in general or specifically about Dr. Barzume? — [Anonymous] (posted on July 10, 2001)
July 10, 2001
I think it should be required that smoking be given up, yes, before
surgery...For one thing, this surgery is being done for your health..if you
are choosing a new life, you should dump the cigarettes and go all out for
great health..and your energy level will increase much with dumping those.
exercising should go better with recovery as result also.
— Penny S.
July 10, 2001
My PCP told me that smoking constricts your blood vessels and impedes the
healing process. I think for that reason alone its worth giving up, even
for a little while.
— Dee P.
July 10, 2001
I do know that some insurance companies won't cover the surgery if you
smoke, mine, PacifiCare is specific about that, so I was told.
— Carey N.
July 10, 2001
I attended a seminar given by Dr. Barzune. He did state that he will not do
the surgery on anyone who smokes. He did say that if someone smokes that he
would work with them to help them stop and would do the surgery after they
had stopped smoking. He does blood gas test to make sure there is no
nicotine in the blood stream. I would have used him as my doctor but he was
not on my insurance.
— blank first name B.
July 10, 2001
My surgeon is making me see a pulmonologist before WLS and has assured me
that if they find one problem, there will be no surgery. I quit smoking
immediately for fear of my surgery being cancelled. Make a deal with
yourself: once you have the surgery, if you still feel like it, you can
smoke all you want. That should make it easier to give it up for a few
months, and chances are you won't want to start back at all.
— blank first name B.
July 11, 2001
As soon as I scheduled my first consultation, I attempted to quit smoking.
I went back and forth, 1 week I would quit, and smoke on the weekends, then
start all over again, etc... At my first consult I had smoked that day, and
told my surgeon so. He was very well aware of my whole situation, and he
told me that smokers heal much slower, and have a higher chance for blood
clots. I continued my off/on regimen up until a week before my pre op
testing. During that time I found out my surgery was to be the NEXT WEEK!
By surgery date I hadn't had a cigarette in 2 1/2 weeks. I did have a
pulmonary test and everything was fine. After surgery I did breathing
treatments, but they may give those to everyone. Everything turned out fine
in my case, but I do consider myself lucky. If I were you, I wouldn't
chance it. Quit as soon as possible, so you have a better chance of
success. Good luck, I Know it's hard. Unfortunately, I started smoking
again 3 weeks post op. :-(
— Kim B.
June 13, 2002
NOOOOO, Dr. Barzune will absolutely NOT operate on a smoker. You will have
to have quit smoking at least a couple of months before surgery. I went to
his seminar and he is admiant about not smoking. Hope this helps.
— Egyptianeyesdiva
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