Question:
Must you quit smoking?

I was told by my doctor that I must quit smoking 6 weeks before the surgery. I think this is harder than losing weight, my god.. Has anyone successfully had the surgery that didn't quit smoking.    — Jeanine K. (posted on October 8, 2003)

October 8, 2003
Don't think of quitting, think of cutting down. If you're black and white about it, you're doing the surgery to get healthy. Cut down, try some Wellbutrin, whatever it takes. I had complications in the hospital and I know for a fact if I was a smoker I could have died. I just wouldn't have had the lun capacity.
   — mrsmyranow

October 8, 2003
Well I didn't really have time to quit smoking went to my PCP then to sergeon and had a date in a few mons. I tryed very hard to stop would for a day or 2 then have one really did cut back thou was smoking about one and half to two pks a day and was down to about 6 to 8 smokes a day any way I made it had my surgery 10/03/03, But some Drs. will not do it if u don't stop for at least 6 weeks, but did have breathing problems afterwards not bad but had them.
   — Debbie T.

October 8, 2003
I quit smoking, the last one i had was august 16th. 'twitches' it's ok really...'twitches again' lol, honestly I feel much better, can breath with no chest rattling and stuff. pcp gave me wellbutrin 150mgs twice a day and it's worked for me. good luck! hugs Penny
   — Penny~ L.

October 8, 2003
I think there are probably people who didn't stop smoking, but if you want the best chance of making it through the surgery, of healing postop, or extending your life and ability to get up and go - you MUST stop smoking. Many surgeons will not do any elective kind of procedure on someone who smokes, bypass or otherwise. It is just a really dangerous habit that you need to give your all to eliminating. There is no question that your body is going to fight you to the bitter end over that nicotine and the oral satiety it receives from smoking. It would be really sad if you managed to loose enough weight to live longer and healthier, then died fairly young of lung cancer from smoking - like my mom, or heart disease added to by smoking - like my dad.
   — bethybb

October 8, 2003
Whether you quit or not, the one thing you must NOT do is lie to your surgeon! THAT could be fatal, because the anesthesiologist has to know that you're smoking and plan your treatment accordingly. S/he and the surgeon must also know so that they can properly deal with any complications you have, which are much more common in smokers.
   — Chris T.

October 8, 2003
I did not quit smoking for any surgery (have had three including 2 sections) and never had complications from it. However, that said, you really must be honest with your doctor about it. If you simply cannot (or won't) quit, then search for a doctor who will deal with your smoking as part of the package. Don't hide this from the man (or woman) who will have their hands in your guts and in control of your life. You should also bear in mind that many surgeons do a blood gas test prior to surgery and if nicotine shows up in it, your surgery will be cancelled. Good luck with whatever you do do.
   — [Deactivated Member]

October 9, 2003
Your surgeon requires this because smokers heal slower, have more leaks, get bloodclots more often, and have worse complications. Surgeons want people to come thru surgery in good shape. Bloodclots can kill. Its for your own good and your surgeons too. Too many deaths and others wouldnt want to use them for their WLS.
   — bob-haller

October 9, 2003
I did not quit smoking and I didnt tell my dr and I had to stay in the hospital 3 extra days drinking robitussin and having breathing treatments 4 times a day and being made to cough with all those stitches. I damn near got pnemonia because of all this. I didnt tell my DR I smoked because he wouldnt have done the surgery. I wanted it more than I cared if I died, so I took my chances. I still smoke and have lost 181 lbs in 14 mths with only 19 left to go. My stitches healed just fine and my pouch never leaked or had any problems.
   — [Deactivated Member]