Question:
Has anyone had this surgery that smoke? If so how much and how did your lungs hold up
I have been trying to quit and was doing great the first few weeks till I got my date. Now I am having a very hard time with it. I do use the nicoderm patch. — Sheri H. (posted on November 7, 2002)
November 6, 2002
Hi Ya. I am glad to see that someone else is having the same problem I am!
I am also a smoker, and I am really trying to quite, but it is so hard. I
think that they stress and anticipation that I feel relating to the surgery
is NOT helping me one bit. My surgery date is on December 9, so I will be
right behind you. I have gotten down from a full pack a day to about 5,
and I feel pretty good about that. Still, it is a struggle to keep to the
5. I am going to keep trying and do the best that I can to be smoke free by
the time that I go in for my preop appointment on November 25. To be Smoke
FREE by surgery will be the best thing for us both, but even with the cut
back I think that we can do it. I hope that you have a very uneventful
surgery and I will be thinking about you! Good Luck and Just remember
healthier and happier times to come!
— poohdotsmom2
November 6, 2002
Hi there, I'm smoker and did fine. I'm going to the Dr. on Monday I plan on
getting zyban. Good luck. Sarah
— sarah C.
November 6, 2002
Hi -- I was a pack and a half a day smoker. I quit cold turkey one month
prior to surgery date, and did pretty well for the first three weeks. The
week before surgery, however, I did smoke a couple a day (no more than 5)
worrying myself sick, and my surgery (lap RNY) went fine. I did, however,
also practice my breathing exercises prior to surgery, which I'm sure
helped, and recovery wasn't so easy. I didn't have to be put on oxygen or
anything like that, but in the hospital I was diligent about using the
spirometer as often as possible, and it was not easy. Since surgery I've
started smoking again, which sucks -- but I also know that I can quit
again. Please, please, try to cut back as much as possible prior to
surgery. The pain and recovery is tough enough -- you don't need to worry
about your lungs not holding up. Best of luck to you. :)
— Tamara K.
November 6, 2002
My surgeon required I quit smoking at least 30 days prior to my surgery. I
smoked 2 1/2 packs a dy for almost 30 years so it was NOT easy....but I did
it am thrilled I did. I did not need to stay on the ventilator, and was
able to clear my lungs which was VERY difficult right after the surgery.
My pulmonary doctor worked hard with me and the respiratory team to make
sure I had no complications due to my smoking history, and no one thinks
things would have gone as well if I hadn't been smoe free for 2 monthe
pre=op. Good luck
— Linda 1.
November 6, 2002
Smoke - didn't quit - didn't want to quit and looked long and hard for a
surgeon who didn't require me too AND was a darned good surgeon. Wasn't
easy! But I came thru just fine, lungs were just fine and I smoke 2 packs
a day and have for 20 years. Good luck!
— [Deactivated Member]
November 6, 2002
Hi all I was the biggest smoker of all. I had started at age 9 and I am 40
and on Dec 4th of 2001 I quit.(see my method below) In Feb my husband
decided to follow suit. We were smoke free till Sept.. Well needless to say
we took a few two many chances with having 1 cigarette and after a real
emotional day we killed off a pitcher of margarita's and a whole pack of
cigarettes. We were off smoking again. So my surgury is in Dec. I had to
quit. We decided that last Monday would be the day. I am officially 4 day
non smoker again. You can quit. It is all in your mind if you are
determined to stop this monkey on your back. Now don't get me wrong it
takes effort. But you make it without smoking one day at a time and then
days turn into months and months into years. When you fall off you get back
on the wagon Stay positive and you will succeed. It is just a habit like
eating food. Here is how I have quit successfully without alot of withdraw
below....
1. Wellbutrin- This is equivalent to Zyban but much cheaper and it will
work. My husband and I both agree
2. Go to Ebay and buy yourself patches. I myself don't start with one I
start with step 2's. I also buy the 2mg gum. Now this runns into a little
money but your were spending it on the cigarrtes right. Patches-2 weeks @
$30. Just bid low and if you loose the auction bid again you don't need to
pay the 65, 75 dollar ones. Gum is sold in 108 the more you buy the
cheaper.
3. The first 3 weeks are the hardest with the 1st week being a struggle of
wanting to give in. You are grouchy and you feel like you are having one of
those days. But each week is better and by week four you are off the hook.
You will always crave a cigarrett for the 1st 2years but if you are strong
and stay away from situations that are avoidable you will succeed. I hope
this helps.
— PAM S.
November 6, 2002
I love my cigarettes and I did give them up for surgery. I quit a month ago
cold turkey and the only thing keeping me from doing it is that i keep
telling myself that i can smoke after surgery if i want to and i feel way
less desperate. I know people will yell at what i have to say next and that
is that if you want to find someone to say that smoking and surgery are
fine and you look hard enough you will. but the reality is that it is just
simply not as safe. you are already dealing with surgery as a MO person so
why add to the dangers or potential complications.
sorry i felt i had to say that and believe me i really know how hard it is
to quit! i am missing every day but it does get easier.
— Carol S.
November 7, 2002
I quit smoking April 1, 2002 and had 4 months of pure hell. I'm not sorry
I quit but no one ever tells you that you might (and I certainly did) have
problems. The actual cigarettes we not the problem it was the Welbutrin
which gave me a terrible rash that lasted 5 months and the depression that
lasted for 4 months. I'm just now beginning to feel like the old me.
Would I do it again? Yes! I was a 2 pack a day smoker for 40 years and if
I don't have any life threatening conditions it is only luck. I hadn't
even decided to have WLS when I decided to quit smoking and didn't know you
couldn't be a smoker. I just had had enough. It was my time and from what
I've heard the most successful people are those who do it when it is their
time to quit. Sounds a little vague but those of you who have quit know
what I mean. I have been through mega stress since I quit. Family crises,
depression, money issues, you name it it has happened since April 1st but
not one time did I consider smoking to calm my nerves. I'm done!! I
didn't use the patch and only used the Welbutrin for 2 weeks. Even through
I had that darn rash the pills did take the edge off. Good luck and
determination wishes to anyone who is quitting.
— Priscilla A.
November 7, 2002
I am a smoker & wasn't required to quit before surgery. I was fine
after surgery & there were no problems at all. I also smoke weed,
before surgery more then after & told my anesthesiologist(sp), again no
problems. I brought an inhaler, that I use if I get a cold, just in case,
but again, I awoke from Open RNY with no lung pain & no breathing
issues. The second day I went home & have had no issues. Nevertheless,
if you WANT to quit, good luck!
— LionGirl2k
November 7, 2002
I quit smoking as of Tuesday. Yes I know that is only 2 days ago-but at
least it is a start. I go to a class once a week-smoking cessastion class.
I think this has helped me. Do you have a support person, or do you have
something picked out that you can do besides smoke-I mean when the craving
hits?I also use the patch and have found that it is easier for me this time
a round. Like previous poster said- you have to be ready for it. I loved
and guess I still do love to smoke. It is a horrible habit-but. I would
never go into a surgery without quitting smoking-esp-one as serious as this
one. I would want to be at my peak performance before going under the
knife!Good luck!!!
— Jan S.
November 7, 2002
HI i smokd up till midnight b4 my surgery. I think everyone reacts
different b/c i had a hell of a time breatheing! I still am , i get pains
in my back when i yawn or hiccup or just take in too big of a breathe. and
in the hospital all they kept asking was YOUR A SMOKER HUH!!! so i would
say it really all depends on the person itself if you have complications.
GOOD LUCK Brandy
— brandy H.
November 8, 2002
I smoked 2 packs a day and smoked my last one walking into the surgery sign
in area. I had open rny and had no complications no breathing probs.
Everyone is different but I was fine AND like a moron I started right back
again. As soon as I hobbled in the oor I went to my cigs and lit up. I
bribed (or lied) to myself saying it was ok b/c I was giving up everything
else...starches, sweets, my soda. If you can quit, I would. Not related
to the wls but to prevent cancer. Good luck. Terri open Rny 10/15/02
— cherokey55
November 8, 2002
Sherry, I had a hard time with quitting too. I really wanted to because I
was really afraid that not quitting would cause me problems during surgery.
And all the worrying about that just made me want a cigarette, LOL. I did
really well at first and made it through the hardest part - the first three
days - and then started cheating, having a few cigarettes with my smoking
buddy at work. I'd alternate a few of days of no smoking with a week of a
few at work. Then the week of my surgery I fell apart and bought a pack!
The day before my surgery, I threw them out and didn't smoke after about 1
pm.
Made it through surgery just fine, didn't wake up with a breathing tube.
Didn't crave cigarettes in the hospital, so I'm sure cutting way back
helped with that. I did feel a bit of congestion in my chest and shortness
of breath for a couple of days out of the hospital and I'm not sure how
much of a role smoking played in that. I've heard that complaint from
non-smokers too, but there were a couple days I was worried I'd really
messed things up, but it cleared up.
I stayed smoke free for about a week after leaving the hospital, then BLEW
it, and now I'm smoking again. It pisses me off to think about it because
I got through the hardest part, the first few days where you feel you're
going to tear your own skin off if you can't have a cigarette. After that,
the physical part of it recedes, but your mind plays tricks on you, telling
you that you can just have one now and leave it behind. It LIES, LOL.
Anyway, to answer your question (finally!) I had no serious complications
but may have made my recovery slightly harder. Even though I never really
succeeded at honestly quitting all the way, I think the fact that I cut way
back still made things easier on me than if I hadn't at all - and I can't
imagine anything much worse than being in the hospital for three days and
dying for a cigarette! At least I didn't have to deal with that. Just
wished I'd stayed off them as it would make my walking that much easier.
— sandsonik
Click Here to Return