Question:
Can anyone tell me what smoking is like after surgery. Has anyone continued to smoke?

   — [Anonymous] (posted on October 29, 2001)

October 29, 2001
A question similar to this was asked today, so I'd check it out. Good Luck,
   — Kristin R.

October 29, 2001
I am 1 month post-op and have continued to smoke since I left the hospital. I agree that I probably would have had an easier time with the recovery hadn't I smoked. I did plan on quitting while I was in the hospital, but I couldn't. I don't want to encourage you to smoke, but, I've been smoking the same amount as I did pre-op. I smoked up until the night before.
   — Kelley S.

October 29, 2001
I have been off cigarettes since surgery....I could NOT quit prior too...was way toooo addicted. I think the morphine pump helped me get over the cravings....but it was the smell that make me sick to my stomach. When I dress to leave the hospital (in clean clothes) the smell of nicotine on them made me sick. However, the coughing attacks I suffered post op - to clear lungs of anestistia (spelling) - where worse because I had been a smoker. Good Luck
   — chance2lv

October 29, 2001
I smoked up till the night before and was free and clear the day of my surgery. I was able to stay smoke free for 6 weeks post op and then BAM, I started smoking again. I could kick myself, but I sometimes think I need it in order not to graze. I do get in my meals and protein and I think I smoke pretty much like I used to. (1 pack for 2 days) I am currently 2 1/2 months post op and have lost 62 lbs and 56 inches.
   — ncgal

October 30, 2001
I smoked prior but before surgery I cut way back. Also, I didn't smoke 2 days prior to the B-I-G day, everything went fine with me. I did my breathing excersises and had no problems. I am not advocating smoking but the phyc person I saw told me that the reason that people gain weight after they quit is because your metabolism slows way down. Well I wish she wouldn't have told me that true or false I have that in my head and am now afraid that if I quit that my weight loss will slow also, and it's going slow enough the way it is. I go through a pack maybe every 3 days and there are days that I don't smoke at all, and then other days I can get a whole pack down in just a short amount of time. I wish that that Dr. would have told me that it sped up the weight loss and then I would have quit in a second. We all know that we shouldn't smoke but I do enjoy my vitamin N (nicotine).... sorry. Best of luck to you.
   — [Anonymous]

October 30, 2001
I quit smoking a month before surgery (my surgeon will not operate on smokers). I had quit approximately a year and a half before for 8 months, but gained 35 pounds, so I resumed smoking. My intestinal resolve to quit once and for all this time was so strong that I had no difficulty quitting and I am 7 weeks post op now and have not had one desire for a cigarette. I too cannot stand the smell and can hardly wait to get rid of all of my old stinky huge clothes. I feel better than I have in years. I have lost 30 pounds so far, with about 90 to go.
   — [Anonymous]