Question:
what are the effects of smoking to your body after WLS?

   — kim H. (posted on August 16, 2005)

August 16, 2005
Beyond all the known troubles for everyone, like heart disease, stroke, lung cancer etc etc. It can cause hard to treat pouch ulcers, and make having surgery very dangerous. Leaks and poor healing are just some of the risks. Way more smokers die than non smokers going thru WLS. It can also cause blood clots, and if your diabetic or pre diabetic with insulin resistance can lead to diabetic eye disease. I read your profile, if you truly want to be there for your daugter quit immediately. Besides second hand smoke is dangerous for kids, can cause lung cancer later on in life for your kids who never took up smoking directly. Beyond being a BAD example to your child!<P> Most good surgeons today refuse to operate on smokers and do a test the morning of surgery, those who cheated get their surgery cancelled. WLS is all about getting healthy. If your not willing to quit smoking , then surgery isnt a good idea. dont want to see more deaths...
   — bob-haller

August 16, 2005
It can cause you to have ulcers in your new pouch. This is what my surgeon told me and the rest of the support group. I hope that this helps:) God Bless
   — LilaDove

August 16, 2005
Since I was not a smoker, I didn't pay attention to most of what the surgeon said about it. But,I remember that smoking prior to surgery will slow down the healing process and can cause complications such as clots.
   — Julie A.

August 16, 2005
I smoke now and did when I had surgery. Well ok, I quit a month before but picked it right back up when I got home.<br><br>Other than the normal 'gonna kill ya' stuff that you already know, nicotine (not just smoking) causes you to heal slower, scar more, have a more difficult time waking up after surgery, and cough more. And belive me, you don't want any sort of coughing after having abdominal surgery. I've had 2 ulcers since surgery, however, I need to kind of go against the grain here. According to my doctors, the smoking doesnt cause the ulcer directly (it sure helps it along), but worse...it completely prevents them from healing. (as does caffeine)<br>As mentioned by others, most surgeons will not touch you for an elective procedure if you smoke. It complicates surgery too much to take the risk.<br><br>Now, it's best that you quit but I can completely relate to the difficulty of that statement. I quit last week for 3 days until I noticed the 7 POUND gain!!! Anyhow, the nicotine losenges have helped many people I know...they make me sick, but I seem to be the only one. Just remember, it's the nicotine that causes most of the problems, not the actual smoking...so you will have to be off of any kind of non smoking aid. Good luck to you!
   — RebeccaP

August 16, 2005
I tried to quit before surgery and ended up not being strong enough. I think I made it to the one week mark and was ready to kill my husband who was also trying to quit with me. We both made a consciuos decision to pick up the cigarette again. I had my surgery, luckily they didn't test me that morning. I have since tried to stop 2 more times and I just am not able to do it right yet. I really don't want to quit. I gain weight easily when I am not smaoking. I am 4 years out and I know I would probably be a little healthier if I were to quit , at least financially. I understand the concern over smoking and I can only say that if you can quit it would be advisable, but if you can't do it I do empathize with you. I have asthma and do get attacks often, about twice a month, but I may still have them without smoking, who knows? Good luck and I do hope you can be succesful in quitting. I have heard of people dying after weight loss from smoking.
   — bzerm01