Smoking... I know I know.

[hansnmerl 0]

Please don't freak out.... I quit smoking on the 1st of this month. I am dying..... I was wondering if anyone started smoking again after the surgery? Also, what are the complications with smoking and the band? I know that with the bypass it causes bleeding ulcers. YIKES.. I wasn't sure if its the same with the band.

[elcee 3,343]

Actually you are probably dying a lot less than you were while you were smoking.

I don't know the specific risks with smoking and banding but surely they are not important,the risks of smoking are so great anyway.

Isn't the reason that you are being banded to get healthy and prolong your life? If you start smoking again then you may as well not have bothered.

Of course if you want to smoke yourself into an early grave that is upto you but I would take the band and everything that goes with it as being the start of a new healthy lifestyle and that includes giving up smoking as well.

Think of all the money you will save, think how much better you will smell etc etc.

yes it's hard but you CAN do it.

[hansnmerl 0]

elcee,

You are totally right. When I posted this I was really craving. Sometimes the cravings are so intense that I don't know what to do. My withdrawal period was so hard, I had nausea, sweating, mood swing, headaches etc. I know that I can do this, I must do this. Sometimes I just need a pep talk. Thank you for the reminder.

[elcee 3,343]

Are you using Patches or anything to help? Personally I would get any help that I could rather than just trying to tough it out on my own.

[fusionbell 0]

I as well have stopped smoking but for me it has been only 5 days..lol...its pretty cold turkey of me but i do have the nicotrol device on hand when i need it...i as well feel the anxiety and the cravings, but its truly mind over matter..i just realized that i had dinner about an hour ago and i didn't have a craving for a smoke...

i am in the process of getting all my dr visits in prior to my 2nd appt so that my surgery can be scheduled. i am nervous about the whole thing. to be honest i was more nervous that the dr told me i had to quit smoking or i wouldn't be able to have the surgery and i freaked. i said how in the world could i possible do this..but i wanted to be banded and wanted to be healthy and fit so i did it....we can do this together....we can save the money, live longer and healthier lives as well in the process...i dont know you, but i have faith in you...:thumbup:

[hansnmerl 0]

Fusionbell,

You are awesome. Thank you for the pep talk. You are right, we CAN do this. I have faith in you too. I agree that it is mind over matter, its just hard when you've been smoking for so long. It almost feels like a part of who you are, ya know? I had to do it cold turkey. The withdrawal only lasts 72 hours and every other time I quit I used Patches, gum and perscriptions. Nothing ever worked. My dad quit 30 years ago cold turkey and never picked up another smoke again. I feel like the sooner the nicotine is out of your system the faster you can get over the cravings. LOL, even though my dad says he still craves one everyday. Yes, after 30 years he still wants one. The key is to just fight it until it goes away. I know it will get better and everyday it gets easier. Just keep truckin girl, we can do it.....

:thumbup:

[rockstar 0]

My surgeon refuses to do surgeries on anyone who smokes. He says (no sure if it's true) that he does a nicotine test on bypassers the morning of surgery.

He also said at the seminar (again, not sure if it's true) that 90% of the time, with Lap Band patients, erosion is caused by smoking. He also said that people who smoke with the Lap Band always have problems down the line.

This is just what HE said. I'm just relaying these messages so don't get offended anyone!

I smoked for 10 years and just recently quit on Feb. 2 of this year with Chantix, the prescription drug because I knew his policy on surgeries.

And like others say - you're going through a life changing surgery to improve your health, quitting smoking should be a priority for ya anyhow.

But I wish you luck! It was not easy for me but Chantix worked wonders and the cravings were practically non-existent.

[hansnmerl 0]

Rockstar,

You're right. Almost every bariatric surgeon refuses to operate on anyone that smokes. In most cases they do test "suspected" ex-smokers before the surgery. When I was posting this I was really craving hardcore. I have been a smoker for 16 years and quitting has been a really crazy ride. I have moments that I really feel like Im gonna cave, but I just remind myself that this surgery means more than any darn cigarette.

Good luck and best wishes on your journey.:thumbup:

[Shay7997 0]

Chantix was amazing for me! I quit a couple years ago. Best decision of my life.

[Kelly0900 0]

That's what Patches are for, the substitute for the nicotine that the cigarettes would have been putting into your system. So instead, the patches would put in a managed dose of nicotine to eliminate your cravings. Then just lower the dosage as told by the distributor, GP or chemist.

[MellieW 0]

Rockstar, my surgeon said the same thing... that smoking can cause erosion and he won't band anyone who smokes. You have to be smoke free for at least 3 months before he will even consider banding you.

I quit 2 1/2 yrs ago when I started looking at WLS. I knew if I were going to go to the extreme of allowing someone to cut me open, and alter my body with a foreign object, I was going to do what I could to ensure my success by living a healthier life. But, I knew there was no way I could do it cold turkey after smoking for 22 years so I used Chantix. It worked like a charm. Within 45 days I had stopped and haven't had any issues since. =)

Good luck hansnmerl. I know it's tough trying to quit but hang in there, I know you can do it!

[girlbanded 0]

I quit cold turkey last June. It actually wasn't hard at all after about the 4th day. If you weigh the benefits of quiting with the risks of smoking, it keeps you motivated. Stay focused; you can do it! It takes around 30 days to make/break a habit; your there. Chew gum. Drink Water. Go for a walk. If your having WLS to become healthier; the last thing you want to do is to start back smoking.

[PuppyBandit 2]

I quit smoking before a decided to get lap band. The extra weight I gained after quitting helped my decision to get banded lol.

I used wellbutrin and the nitotrol inhaler. I smoked 2 packs a day and was determined to never quit. But a good round of pleuricy and increased cig taxes, helped in my decision lol. It was the hardest thing I ever did but I am so happy to be a non-smoker now.

I truly understand what you are going thru.

My doctor said it causes ulcers more often in a banded person or gastric bypass person.

[rcain03@hotmail.com 1]

I quit smoking 5 yrs. ago after my best friend was diagnosed with small cell carcinoma of the left lung. (The doctors told her it was a direct result of smoking) She was a single mom with a 3 yr. old son. She died 4 mos. after her diagnosis. It was the hardest thing to see her dying knowing she was leaving her little boy behind. After that, I could not bear to smoke a cigarrette without thinking..."what if that happens to me...because I choose to smoke this? How will I explain to my 3 kids why Momma chose to smoke even though I knew the dangers of it and the health risks?". As you can imagine, those thoughts really helped me through the cravings. The hardest part for me was that I felt as though I had so much time on my hands. I didn't realize how much my life and daily routines revolved around smoking! I really didn't know what to do with myself...especially, after eating, talking on the phone, getting in the car, etc... I had associated all of those activities with smoking. It was crazy. Not to mention once I quit...I realized how much cigarettes STINK!! To this day..I can't stand the smell of them or the smell of people who smoke them. I really get a nauseous feeling when I smell it. Also, I just kept thinking to myself whenever I had a craving...I wasn't about to have to start all over with the cravings again for that cigarette! I was not going to have "suffered" through withdrawals only to start smoking again. Just hang in there and I have complete faith in you that YOU CAN DO THIS!!! It is one of the best gifts you will ever give yourself and your family by quitting smoking. One day, you will look back...as I do now...and not even be able to remember or imagine how you ever was able to smoke and have such a nasty habit! Good Luck with living a healthier lifestyle! =)