I have a question on smoking - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

reborn · 09-28-2006, 09:38 PM

My doctor told me that if I dont stop smoking two months before my surgery he wont do it! It has been very hard on me to stop, has anyone been through this? He even said he will check my blood nicotine level. How long does it stay in my blood? Please help!!

Mavisavis · 09-28-2006, 10:31 PM

I'm not sure the answer to how long it stays in the blood, but I do know the place where I had mine does check and will cancel. There was a lady that "cut down" and thought that would be good......but it is able to be detected. It really is for your own healing and safety. I have not been through it, but others will jump in to help. Welcome to the board and best of luck with the challenge ahead.

saraczek · 09-29-2006, 06:25 AM

I hear you... I to have to quit smoking. It is so hard. I've tried several times with no sucess. I've tried patches, pills, and going cold turkey. You just have to keep trying. Eventually I know we can do it.

Zenomia · 09-29-2006, 07:05 AM

I had to quit or no surgery as well. (I quit the minute they told me to.) I believe comes down to How BADLY do you want this surgery? If you want it bad enough, you will QUIT, you will SUFFER and you will stay QUIT in order to Get it. I honestly believe that the Drs. are not only looking at our overall health and well being, but are also putting this out there as a test. If we can't quit, then how are we going to follow the lifelong changes that are needed to make this surgery a success? If we can't change a behavior that is so ingrained in our lives, how are we going to develop brand new healtly eating habits? I believe they are both correlated and it simply becomes a matter of choice. You can choose the cigarettes and stay where you are, or you can convince yourself that this is the FIRST thing you need to do to PROVE that you are ready for this Life Changing Experience!! JMO

http://www.quitnet.com
This site may help you.

SweetSouthern · 09-29-2006, 07:43 AM

I know how long it stays in your system, but don't want to give you the number because it will only encourage you to try and "trick" what your dr. is telling you. My surgeon also did a nic test before surgery. (Sorry.....

) But it REALLY is in your best interest to stop smoking (as I did before my surgery). It was the best thing besides my surgery I could have ever done for myself and my children! I still crave one sometimes, but would NEVER start back. I can't let myself or my children down now and don't ever want that nasty, stinky habit back! I will tell you that your recovery depends on you quiting now. Smoking restricts blood flow and blood flow is VITAL in recovery from surgery and the healing process. And blood flow is already restricted to your new pouch after surgery, so you can't afford to NOT quit smoking. Smoking also has been proven to cause ulcers in WLS patients post-op even years down the road and take it from me, you DON'T want one of those, as I dealt with one right after surgery and could not eat solids until the last two weeks and I am almost 4 months out. It's a horrible thing when your pouch burns and aches all the time and you can't get any food to stay down because of an ulcer. The risks you take just to smoke and slowly kill yourself with nicotine after surgery are WAY too high for me to consider anymore. I had this surgery to be healthy and why go through this surgery if I am not going to do my best to have a healthy body the rest of my life?

mzliz · 09-29-2006, 08:25 AM

I too like Trina knows how long it can be detected in the blood stream, but will not share, I quit cold turkey 5 months before wls yes it was hard but I was bound and determined to do this not only for the wls but for my daughters as well, who are my whole life. I want to be around for weddings and grand kids. Besides I'm up to walking about 5 miles a day, and could NOT do that if I was smoking. I swore I would NOT become one of those reformed smokers but........I dispise being around someone who does smoke.

Okiechick2u · 09-29-2006, 09:29 AM

Although my surgeon didn't say anything to me about smoking (as a matter of fact, he actually went with me behind the building at my appointment to have a cigarette!) I wish he had! I wish you much luck and success on quitting. Is there a quitting support thread? I know it's hard!! The first 3 days I was in the hospital, I didn't smoke, nor did I smoke for 2 days after coming home. I told my husband do NOT smoke in front of me. He did good for the first day, the second day he walked by me with one, I smelled it and felt like Troy Aikman tackling him so I could have a drag

Please do continue trying the patch or pills. Not just for the surgery, but for your all around health and well being. God Bless...

newbetterme · 09-29-2006, 10:40 AM

I hear you. I dont know how long it stays in the blood, but I was tested prior at three month before surgery and again at the hospital. I quit cold turkey and gained 12 lbs. Im not gonna lie to you it wasnt fun and what a bitch I was. Basically it comes down to how badly you want to make positive changes to your life. If you cheat or cant quit than perhaps surgery with all that goes with it and the lifestyle changes that follow are something that you arent ready for.

To be honest after surgery i did go back to smoking and has been the biggest regret. I had to quit again for plastic surgery and that was way harder.

The surgeons arent "blowing smoke" they do know what they are talking about. They have been doing this for years and see the results either positive or negative when it comes to a smoker.

If you are unwilling or unable to quit perhaps a deeper look into why would benefit you. Good luck!

cassie7978 · 09-29-2006, 12:31 PM

I do know how you feel im going through the same thing you are right now I have a very stressfull job and theres nothing more I want right now than a cigarette but I will not risk not haveing my surgery Been through to much and came to far to mess it up now You do what you have to do to quit...GOOD LUCK keep your head up ( I have a patch on right now just remember it is mind over matter)

SaturdazeChyld · 09-29-2006, 04:56 PM

I have no idea the answer to this question, but I do have a question for you.

Why have you nicknamed yourself 'reborn'?

You might want to think about the answer and really quit the habit that is going to kill you.

Good luck .. you can do it! Millions of us have.

oh and p.s. smoking ADDS to your stress level, it does NOT reduce it.