Question:
do you have to quit smoking before surgery?

   — Christy P. (posted on January 10, 2003)

January 10, 2003
Christy, I do. I guess it is up to your surgeon. But I have read on this website messages from a lot of people who had to quit. My surgery is not scheduled yet, but my surgeon told me in no uncertain terms at my consult that if I did not quit smoking he would not do the surgery. I have wanted to quit for years, but have never made it. I started trying this week. I started wearing patches this past Sunday night and I have done moderately good this week. I have had about 2 cigarettes a day. Which is good compared to 1 pack a day. I have a really hard time right after work and before bed. I am trying to kick those, but not to successful yet. In fact I said awhile ago that I am not having my cigarette tonight, and I just finished it. But I hope that I am well on my way. Have you had your 1st consult yet? If so, did your surgeon mention it? Email me if you like. I'd be glad to talk with you about it. Good luck!!!
   — S W.

January 10, 2003
Christy, I forgot to mention in my post that I also am trying to look at quitting smoking from the aspect of "why would I put myself through this surgery to be healthier if I am going to continue to sabatoge my health with cigarettes?" Maybe that will help too!!
   — S W.

January 10, 2003
I am an EX smoker. I smoked for 16 years. I quit because it was mandatory that I be smoke free for 8 weeks prior to surgery. I am still working on the tests before my paperwork is sent to the insurance. I would say that WLS was/is a great motivator. I also enrolled in a smoking cessation class and wore the patches for about 3 weeks. Good luck-It is hard but if you have faith in yourself, you can do it.
   — Jan S.

January 10, 2003
Besides all the health benefits from quitting smoking (I smoked for 25years off and on, have been nicotine free for 5 years now)...having a smoker's cough after surgery is not going to be pleasant. You will naturally cough to get the anesthesia out of your lungs...and this HURTS. Coughing all the time because you're withdrawing from cigarettes will be very difficult your first 3-4 days post-op. I wouldn't take the chance of having compromised lungs when having general anesthesia. Too many things can go wrong. Do yourself a healthful favor and quit...you sure have a good reason to right now. Good luck and hugs, Joy
   — [Deactivated Member]

January 10, 2003
My surgeon requires you to quit prior to the surgery. He never said how long in advance, tho. I smoked until I got insurance approval and luckily quit cold turkey. I have read posts where they say you can be tested at any given moment and they can tell if you have smoked. I do not want my surgery postponed because of something I can control. I am almost 2 months smokefree w/surgery fast approaching on Feb 4!! Good luck to you!
   — roryleigh

January 11, 2003
Christy, I just read in a magazine that smokers can take up to three times longer to heal from surgery than a non-smoker. Smoking turns your collagen(fibrous protein found in connective tissue) into something a kin to broken rubber bands. If you are having an open procedure smoking could cause major problems. I know a smoker who had surgery in April(not WLS)and is still having trouble with her incision.
   — Pamela B.