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

Siren · 08-19-2006, 03:22 AM

I was reading in another thread that someone had to quit smoking before they could have the surgery done. I am a smoker of 16 years. Is this different amongst different doctors or does everyone have to quit smoking first?

I mean, I know that stopping smoking will be healthier on me but I'm trying to get an idea of what all will be expected of me. I don't know if I could quit smoking due to the stress and anxiety of anticipating the surgery itself.

Maybe they'll knock me out (on the OR table) with a cig in hand??? That way when I wake up as the "new me" I can fire one up in a celebratory smoke?

Seriously though, is this a requirement for everyone?

VanessaSFL · 08-19-2006, 06:20 AM

I was told to quit and some dr's do nictine screens the day of surgery.It"s best to quit for many reasons besides the surgery.

Best wishes,It is hard to stop smoking.

V

cnvh · 08-19-2006, 06:34 AM

It was a requirement for me, and I suspect it would be a requirement for most... I've even heard of patients being "drug-tested" pre-op to see if they still have nicotine in their system!

The reasons for them making us quit smoking isn't just because it's healthier in general-- being a smoker makes us a much higher risk for developing breathing problems while under anasthesia, and it slows wound healing post-op. I don't know about you, but those are two areas where I definitely DO NOT want complications!!!

I also smoked for about 16 years, averaging 1 1/2 packs a day, and I quit a little over a month ago. (DH and I actually quit at the same time, which made things MUCH easier.) I pretty much quit cold-turkey, although I had stopped smoking during my workday about 6 months ago. The first few days were HELL, I'm not going to lie about that... but it DID get easier, and as the time has passed, the cravings are still there but they pass much more quickly... like it gets stuck in my head for a minute or two, and then it's gone.

My advice to you:

1. Look into smoking cessation programs in your area-- most of them are free, and you may even be able to get some free stuff-- like "the patch"

2. Set a quit date, make it a month or more away. Then start NOW to examine how smoking is a part of your daily routine, and make plans for how you will change it. (I knew I would have to keep my mouth and hands occupied, so I went out and bought a TON of chewing gum, as well as tactile things like Koosh balls and stress balls to have something to do with my hands.)

3. Start making smoking inconvenient-- stop smoking in your house or car, stop bringing them with you when you leave the house. This will help you start to cut back.

5. You can buy "the patch" over-the-counter, to help with nicotine withdrawal. If you want a prescription for Zyban (a medication that helps with the cravings-- and for me, it also helps with the food cravings, too) then talk toy our doctor and start taking it NOW, if possible. Many people start taking Zyban and they find that the urge to smoke lessens, making it much easier to quit.

6. When you DO actually quit, START CHEWING GUM. (Sugar-free gum, of course!) This, for me, has been the #1 thing that has made it easier. I never tried the nicotine gum (heard it tastes nasty), but just having to chew something keeps your mouth busy, and obviously you DO NOT want to resort to food. (My jaw actaully got quite ache-y for the first couple of weeks, but it's better now.)

You can do it, Siren... feel free to PM me if you want, I TOTALLY know what you're going through. For me, the surgery is the ONLY reason I quit, as awful as that sounds-- but I want to survive the surgery and heal well afterwards, so for me, it was worth it. I can't promise I won't start back up after surgery, but right now, I need to do everything I can to ensure the best possible outcome post-op.

MiladyB · 08-19-2006, 07:49 AM

I was not a smoker but I know that my surgeon makes people quit. They have to not be smoking, for I think, 3 months before he will do the surgery and I know they have to take a drug test just before surgery. I suspect the "quit smoking" pre-op is pretty common practice.

AprilShowers · 08-19-2006, 07:57 AM

My doctor said the same thing.. I do not smoke but he said he is here to help people and if you smoke you are still not wanting to be healthy..
As was pointed out there are a lot of reasons why it can cause harm post op.. if you are serious about the operation I would try to stop now.

pambragg · 08-19-2006, 08:03 AM

Oh boy. I don't think I have ever really "put myself out there" here on the forum, but I have a little story for you...
I quit smoking In June 04 after 30 years when I was 2 weeks away from surgery. I healed nicely and took the habit back up 3-4 weeks post-op. Okay, mind you, I was 300+ lbs and had had high blood pressure, asthma and sleep apnea before surgery. This was a serious addiction.
In May '05 It was discoverd I had a hernia that needed to be repaired. I had open GBS and this was an incisional hernia. I did not quit smoking and had a hell of a time healing, incision was open for over 6 weeks, infection, etc.
Fast forward to July '06...time for plastic surgery to get rid of pannus. I quit cigarettes 10 days before surgery but was smoking black and mild cigars instead. Don't ask me where the logic came from but I could talk myself into anything

I was honest with my doctor about not having quit all tobacco/nicotine.
I woke up in the recovery room after 2 surgeries totalling 7 hours to my doctor telling me that I had to quit smoking, that literally the next puff of something right now could leave me with a hole in my stomach for the rest of my life! Now this man had always been straight forward and up front with me. I was scared to death. I had had gallbladder surgery about 17 years ago and have a scar on my abdomen that intersects with a later scar that was from my GBS & hernia repairs. Those 2 along with my new incision all intersected and created a triangle area on my lower abdomen, the top most tip being about where my belly button would be. Anyway, this triangle was in serious distress because of lack of circulation which was seriously hampered by the nicotine in my system.

Okay, I was suficently scared s*^tless and today I am celebrating my 32nd day nicotine/tobacco free. My 27 inch incision in healing quite nicely, I rarely cough and I feel so much better. It has not been easy but when faced with what he'd said it was no longer an option or an issue, it was a MUST. Fear has been the greatest motivater for me.
I wish you much success, arm yourself with all the things that were previously recommended (great post!) and a steel determination and we will help you any way we can. Dr Callery was making noise about testing for nicotine but I did not get tested, but I do know that he has and people have not had their surgery if they don't pass that nicotine test. It is in our best interest. Good luck hon.

Duckie · 08-19-2006, 09:23 AM

I strongly urge you to quit smoking prior to surgery. I did. I knew if I wanted this surgery and to be healthy, I had to do it. I smoked for 20+ years. Not only does it cause problems with healing I was told it causes strictures as well.

tammywilson161 · 08-19-2006, 10:05 AM

Good Luck quitting smoking and moving on to a newer, healthier body. Smoking is an addiction that some people have said is harder to control than a narcotic addiction. I believe it because quitting smoking was the hardest thing I EVER did. I was so physically and mentally 'hooked' that when I quit, I actually have memory lapses of those first nicotine-less days. I think that tobacco is a truely evil thing; it is so addicting and harmful to EVERYONES health, it makes me wonder why it is still manufactured and sold everywhere. My DH still cant give it up and I am convinced that if he doesn't quit, I'll be a widow long before my time.

Cinerbelle · 08-19-2006, 10:07 AM

My surgeon also requires the patient to quit smoking. He also does a urine check to make sure a few days before surgery. I was happy that was one thing I didn't have to add to my list of things to do...it was hard enough to quit eating birthday cake (I didn't just eat them on birdays if ya know what I mean).

LyndasRoom · 08-19-2006, 10:09 AM

Wow Pam, Good for you on not smoking for 32 days. I promise, it does get easier. I quit 18 years ago, by chewing on straws and sucking on jolly ranchers. Of course now you have that nice flat tummy to look forward to. Keep up the good work!