Smoking - Page 2 - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

Ann8615 · 08-19-2006, 10:33 AM

Yes, my dr. made me quit too. Actually, when I went to the mandatory education session prior to consult (couldn't get the consult without the session), they said you had to be smoke free for a minimum of 2 months, they test your nic. level. I quit April 3, but slipped and had a couple cigs on July 3. My consult was July 31, and I had to have a nic level done. They made me write a contract saying that I wouldn't smoke, and will do a nic level at the pre-surgery consult. If it is positive, they will reschedule my surgery date. Don't want that!

Fortunately, for the most part, I haven't wanted to smoke. I realize that I am very very lucky. When I quit, it was because I had the flu, and couldn't get out of bed for 4 days. I tried to smoke one cig that first day of flu, and physically couldn't do it. (and was actually pissed because I really wanted by nic. fix!) After 4 days of not smoking, I figured the worst of the nic. withdrawal was over, and just took it day by day. This is what worked for me.

Just a minute by minute, day by day deal of not smoking. It gets better, I promise.

Good luck!
ann

Mavisavis · 08-19-2006, 10:44 AM

My surgeon requires 2 months of smoke free before surgery. They DO test and DO cancel if someone smokes. One lady got canceled because she had dramatically "cut down" and thought it would be good enough. But why go through a surgery for your health that could risk your life, then make it riskier by smoking......and remaining unhealthy by smoking? You CAN do it all. I have a friend who noone, including herself ever thought she could quit. She has a very addictive personality. One day she just stopped and has not looked back. She got serious about it because her doc gave her a 5-10 year life span (probably towards the lower end) and she is 41 with a 6 year old son. She stopped to be there for her son, and now can get the bypass which she also desperately needs for a long healthy life. There are many on the boards that can help you through it.

SweetSouthern · 08-19-2006, 11:54 AM

I smoked until a few months before surgery and knew I had to quit if I wanted this surgery done, (my surgeon does do a nic test) so I got it out of the way really fast. I know this motivational speaker and he is DANG good! You feel high off of his words and enthusiasm when you listen to one of his presentations, but he does smoking cessation hypotizing. He can do a room full at one time. So, I paid $50 to be hyponotized and it was the best $50 I have ever spent in my life I believe. I have not smoked a day since I had it done and it was so easy to quit. Smoking is not in the body, it's in the mind, and if you control it with your mind you can stop. It's the same way with overeating also, too bad I couldn't figure out how to get my mind to control that! This guy helps you to change how you see yourself and when you walk out you see yourself as a nonsmoker instead of a smoker. I would have never believed it if I had not done it, but I DID! I didn't even have craving for the first 3 or 4 days. I would go a whole day and notice I had not even thought of a cigarette. Then there were a few, and I mean very few, times that I did think about it in the days later, but I realized it was a habit and I would just tell myself in my head OR out loud that I was not a smoker when that habit would arise and I would change things around in my daily life. For instance, I smoked A LOT when I worked, so I replaced my pack of cigs with my notepad and pencil that I keep up with my work on. So everytime I reached there, I picked up my notepad and it sorta retrained my mind to only reach there after a while when I NEEDED my notepad. It's worth a try if any of you would like to try and you are familiar with a really good motivational speaker. I'm living proof it works. And I wont lie, I loved smoking.....but it was killing me fast. Now, I hate it with a passion and am SO happy I had to quit for the sake of my surgery. I love my surgeon for making me face that demon and overcome it. He also went through all the complications that smoking causes, even long-term post-op complications. He said he sees patient every week that are a year or more out that come in spitting up blood and they had started smoking again. Nicotine is bad for our little pouchies and restricts blood flow and from what I'm told, the blood flow is already restricted somewhat just from the surgery itself because so much is cut away. It is not just bariatric surgeons that will not do surgery if you are a smoker, but it's ALL surgeons. I believe Dyann can substantiate this when she reads this post. I have worked for orthopedic surgeons for years and all I worked with would not do surgeries unless the patient quit smoking. It is just part of the healing process. And if you have any idea of tricking your surgeon when it comes time for surgery because he does not do a test, well the joke will only be on you because YOU will be the one to suffer the consequences, not your surgeon. So, please do all you can to stop. I promise you will love yourself even more.

JustJennifer · 08-20-2006, 04:53 PM

Trina! 55.5 pounds in 10 weeks!! OMG congrats!

I'm jealous

Since Trina and I have the same doctor, I can't really add anything to what she said. I know they do nicotine tests to, although I never needed on.

SweetSouthern · 08-20-2006, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustJennifer

Trina! 55.5 pounds in 10 weeks!! OMG congrats!

I'm jealous

Thanks! I'm happy with it! LOL You are setup to do it also girlfriend. You just had your surgery four weeks after me, but it will happen for you too. Just wait and see......

Sorry for the hijack

coptergirl · 08-20-2006, 06:26 PM

Quitting smoking is required by my doc, but I do not recall him testing me the morning of surgery. Please do it...this is for an overal healthier YOU!!

Gina in NY · 08-20-2006, 06:57 PM

For all the reasons folk have said, you have to quit before surgery. Most of your risk during surgery comes from anesthesia, more than the physical stuff, so it is all about your breathing.

The other surgeon at Albany med had a patient come in for GBP surgery, she was moved onto the operating table and said, "Uh, I think I forgot to stop smoking" thinking that they would just go ahead. He sent her home, right then and there. Can you imagine getting that close??

I think they do nicotine tests now and if you're worried about risks - smoking is #1!

spencd1 · 08-21-2006, 02:19 PM

Ok, I have something to ask. I smoked for 30 years and after 2 sessation courses I finally quit. Unfortunatley, I chew the nicotine gum and have done so since I quit 3 years ago. I'm thinking that this will show up in the nic test. I guess I consider myself a non-smoker now and didn't give it much thought at the informational meeting. I'm wondering if it will be an issue. Any ideas?

Blueyz · 08-21-2006, 02:39 PM

Good for you Pam...you go girl!!!

As for Dr. Callery, he tells everyone they must quit and I have heard of surgeries being cancelled because people fail the nicotine test.

pambragg · 08-22-2006, 10:47 AM

Spencd1,

Yes, nicotine gum will show up on a nic test, it is still administering nicotine to the blood system, no matter the means of delivery and it will impact your healing process. Sorry to have to be the one to point this out to you, I don't want you to go on blindly and get shot down by the doctor before surgery. Talk to them about this asap. Good luck.