Please don't judge

[maja0507 0]

I'm having a very difficult time quitting smoking.

My surgery is next Thursday.

Has anyone continued to smoke and still had their surgery?

Did anyone not quit, and have their surgery postponed?

I know people say they test, I know I should quit, just looking for answers to the above questions.

Thanks!

[illuminationlady 7]

Have your doctor prescribe Chantix. It really works. You are allowed to continue to smoke the first week and then cigs start to taste like charcoal. Then you really don't want to smoke any more. I even got my insurance to pay for it with a $20 copay. Check it out. No judging here! Best wishes!!

[Bandmom 0]

My husband is doing the Chantix, and it is working. He wasn't even 100% sur ehe wanted to quit, but figured if I was getting myself healtheir her out to do something, and he is doing great with it. Even forgot to bring his cig's in from the car last night when he got home from work and didn't realize it till we left this morning and he saw them sitting there!

[Blaze21 5]

You should be very careful and talk with your surgeon about this. He/she may not do your surgery until you are quit for some time.

[sawyer77 1]

My surgeon did a nicotine test well before surgery, but then again the morning of surgery. I think you better mention to your surgeon that you're struggling. (I quit in August, surgery was in January.)

[mousek 4]

I smoke and they told me please cut down as much as possible. i stayed up in my room and read for most of the time 2 days prior to surgery to try and rid some of the gunk from system. It's great to hear about this Chantix - thinking of speaking to my doctor about it.

[joecs1 4]

I cut back on my smokeing wearing the patch. my surgeon knew I was wearing the patch. My GP knew the smokeing was an issue for me and prescribed Chantix for me but said wait to start it till I started mushies. He felt I was trying to make too many "life changes" all at once and I was setting myself up for failure. I did not cheat the week before surgery but 3 days after my surgery (today) and I have had 4 cigs. I am feeling a lil guilty and I am going to put a patch on for the rest of the day. I actually wore the patch durring surgery and the DR's all knew about it! We owe it to ourselves to quit, just like we need the Band!

[Bandmom 0]

I smoke and they told me please cut down as much as possible. i stayed up in my room and read for most of the time 2 days prior to surgery to try and rid some of the gunk from system. It's great to hear about this Chantix - thinking of speaking to my doctor about it.

As with this surgery just be aware of the side effects. My mom took it and had some issues with depression. Not the "I am going to kill myself stuff" but the cry all the time, negative out look stuff. But I have heard of others that dealt with more dangerous depression. Hubby hasn't had any side effects like that. The worst he is dealing with is if he takes the pill and hasn't eaten yet (even if he eats within 5 minutes) he gets a real upset stomach. It is worth it as long as you watch for the symptoms and address them appropriately!

[Megg40 0]

I was ans still am a smoker. My surgeon was well aware that I smoked. All she asked was for me to be smoke free for 12 hours before surgery and I did it. Surgeon, and Primary Doc both agreed that If I quit while getting banded and making lifestyle changes I would not do as well. I am 2 months out from being banded and I have made my mind up to quit smoking when I am 6 months post op. I know I need to do it and I want to...I just needed some time between the two.

I do have to admit that my recovery from surgery was rough. The first 5 days after being banded I was miserable....I think my recovery took longer because I am a smoker. If you can quit, please do so....

Meg

[joecs1 4]

Megg, dont get down on yourself about the smoking. everybody recovers from surgery differently. I had my surg on Tuesday afternoon and feel pretty darn good today. I went to the chiropractor and got adjusted sitting position, a 15 min chair massage at his office, then I went and visited a freind who is a waitress at a luncheonette and had a cup of coffee. then I went and visited anouther freind at his work. I drove myself and I was out for about 3 hours. I still feel pretty good. I have been walking a lot! A real LOt! Take it at your own pace. do what you can. The smoking is obviously no good for us. But really we all just heal differently. You will feel well soon!

[maja0507 0]

Thank you all so much for the thoughts and advise.

I will talk to my surgeon. Hopefully he'll be understanding about the struggles.

[LapNYC 3]

Smoking is obviously not good (I quit about 5 years ago and still miss it) but if you're otherwise in good health I'm guessing they'll go ahead with the surgery. I have an Argentinian friend who was banded here and she (and several of her banded friends) smoke like maniacs. That said, of course you should try everything to quit. Exercise is a key component of band success and obviously that's harder for smokers. Don't beat yourself up, but don't give up either. I forget who said it. James Taylor? Something about quitting smoking being harder than quitting heroine. I believe it. It's rough! But some day it will be a distant memory, along with the fat. In the interim, smoke one for me!