Question:
has anyone had the surgery without quitting smoking?
My doctor will perform the surgery on a smoker. He just suggested I cut down. I'm 4 days pre-op and on his pre-op diet. With being hungry and nervous, I can't quit, having a hard time cutting down too. Has anyone else had surgery being a smoker? Did it cause any problems? Help, I nervous about this and so many other things. — Kelley S. (posted on September 24, 2001)
September 24, 2001
The majority of surgeons wouldn't think about doing this procedure on a
smoker. Perhaps your surgeon believes your general health is good enough
that he feels you won't have any serious problems. Of course it would be
safer if you didn't smoke, or cut back. You would recover easier also.
There are many smokers who've done fine. But I know of many who did very
poorly. Breathing suffers after any surgery, so smokers really have it
rough usually. Maybe this isn't kind, perhaps you are looking for people
to say it will be easy, but I think you know that you're taking chances. I
wish you the best.
— Frank M.
September 24, 2001
I was a smoker( 1 to 1 1/2 pack a day). I quite Nov 10, 2001 and had
surgery on Dec 14. I had a really bad time with recovery. I did not get
out of recovery for over 24hrs, and they almost sent me to ICU. I had to
have a breathing tube this whole time. I was very heavy and out of shape
which could have played a big part. It scared me so much that I will not
smoke again. I will say a few prayers that this type of situation does
not happen to you. I do not want to scare you but if I knew now what would
have happened, I would have quite a good six months or a year before
surgery.
— Eileen C.
September 24, 2001
Most surgeons will not operate on active smokers because of the high risk
of complications after surgery,specially with your lungs,so if I were you
I'll stop smoking as of now. I assume you don't want to put yourself at
risk with this surgery that you wanted more than anything, right?????
— [Anonymous]
September 24, 2001
I quit six weeks before my surgery. It was hard, but it was required by my
surgeon. I don't want to preach to you, but please try to quit! You will be
in alot of pain after the surgery and caughing, sneezing, laughing all hurt
so much when you do it. I don't know how much four days of not smoking will
help you, but it has to be a little better than smoking up until the day
of. By the way, after surgery the thought of smoking and the smell of
second hand smoke made me sick. Good luck on your surgery and recovery.
— Dawn H.
September 24, 2001
Was a smoker still a smoker- (not proud of it but...) I did not smoke
for aprox 36 hours prior to surgery. My Dr. said that it
was up to me but I was the one that would have to breath and
cough and it would be my pain! I also did deep breathing before WLS and
I am guessing that helped and it was part of the prep for
surgery. I know that it is really hard when your nervous I
do understand. Good luck to you with your surgery and all, let
us know...
— [Anonymous]
September 25, 2001
Hi I am 6 1/2 weeks post op and I had/enjoyed my last cigarette at 10:30 pm
the night before my surgery. My doc told/asked me to cut back if, not quit.
When I came home I didn't even want a cig. I had a lap rny and the
"thought" of throwing up (putting all that pressure on my tummy)
from the cig was convincing enough for me not to go have one.
Unfortunately, I have just picked em up again. Geez, 6 whole weeks without
and now, I too need something in my hand besides food. I only have a few a
day though. OH, I was in recovery for about 4 hours after surgery due to my
breathing not responding very fast. But, I had no problems once out of
recovery and in my room. I did do the little blow machiny thing every hour
though. So, good luck to you.
— ncgal
September 25, 2001
For the most part, I agree with Frank's comments. I was a smoker when I had
my surgery, and I totally understand the problems with trying to quit when
you're both nervous <I>and</I> hungry. I happened to be one of
those smokers who isn't really affected all that much; no breathing
problems, no major hacking episodes, no bronchitis, etc. My recovery went
about the same as a non-smoker's would. Still, that's the exception, not
the rule. Also, something to keep in mind is that, as a smoker, my scar
healed a little worse. I have absolute proof of that now because since I
quit, I've had another major surgery in essentially the same area, and the
scar looks much better. Best of luck to you, and...I empathize!
— Suzanne B.
September 25, 2001
I did not quit. I smokes up to the night before and started about 3 or 4
days after I got home from the hospital. But they tasted totally
different, so I *almost* quit post-op. Now, at 2+ months post-op, I'm
finding myself displacing cigs for food. Instead of shoveling food in my
face, I smoke more. Not a good thing. I say do whatever you can to cut
down or quit. It will only help.
— [Anonymous]
September 25, 2001
I smoked up to three hours before my surgery, and the problems I had after
surgery were minor consisting of difficulty taking deep breaths. I have not
returned to smoking since surgery and hope to remain a non-smoker. Good
luck to you!!
— Donna S.
September 25, 2001
I smoked till the day before surgery and was told by the recovery room
nurse that she had never seen anyone come out of WLS so alert and healthy.
But I have to say Im sure during the next few days I coughed more than
normal and what a pain that was. I stopped for 11 days but started again. I
plan to quit for good when the weight is off. Im 2 mos out and down 54 lbs
so I figure another 4 mos till quittin time. Good luck.
— [Anonymous]
September 25, 2001
I smoked as I was pulling into the hospital parking lot. I did practice on
the breathing apparatus for a few days before surgery and I had absolutely
NO problems. Best of luck
— marlene R.
September 26, 2001
I smoked up until the last day before my surgery. I smoked for over 30
years. Well, after surgery I did not think I would get through it becasue I
coughed up so much junk which put extra strain on my stapled stomach. My
surgery was July 27th 2001 and I have been smoke free ever since.There is
no sence getting this surgery if you don't have the will to quit smoking,
after all you are getting this surgery to live longer right? If you need
help write me.
— Jack G.
September 27, 2001
My daughter Kim and I had our first consult today with Dr. Hutcher in VA.
He WILL NOT DO THE SURGERY IF YOU SMOKE. I'm a medical novice but he said
your blood thickens during surgery and it make something expand...and makes
it more difficult to get through the surgery AND Incision HEALING.
He said to my daughter..IF YOU WANT ME TO DO SURGERY. QUIT TODAY. My
daughter got upset. Think about it.
Your health is so important.
— Jackiis
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