Hi all:)

I'm a HEAVY smoker (30-40) cigs a day, I know its bad and yada yada yada...

Just wondering if it harms the band in any way or not? or if it makes it easier to develp some of the side effects like refulx and so on.

Any smokers around, who could throw in their 2 cents? or non smokers too:)

I am and I am thinking it is the best time to quit when you cannot gain weight.What if we have to have other surgeries.I had almost quit on Welbutrin and patches before my surgery but two weeks before I had to quit taking the meds(doctors ordersr to stop alot of my meds). If were going to try to lose weight to get healthy why not quit smoking to get healthy too.I used to run track and I loved it I want to run again. I do not want to get winded and tired.I need to be able to exercise to get this weight off and keep it off. I have only been banded two weeks but I cannot imagine that it would be good for our band.I have had no problems with reflux yet. I have cut down alot and I plan on getting back on the patch as soon as he will let me.I have gone from 65 units of insulin to ten doctor said I will be off insulin all together soon.Im gonna get healthy how about you?

I quit years ago, but I would be more worried about my heart and lungs if I smoked than the band I think. I don't know the statistics on the band and smoking or if there are any, but you should really try to quit........and I know you've heard it a million times huh?

I'm not a smoker but I family that smokes. My uncle had the GB and had to quit smoking or the doctor would not operate on him. He was told that smoking causes problems when trying to heal. It can make the healing process take longer. I'm not sayingf it's a medical fact but that's what he was told.

I smoke, but not that heavy. Usually no more than 1 pack a week. I haven't noticed any side effects but I do need to quit. That will be my next chore.

I had to quit 2 weeks before surgery. After that... puff puff puffing away. I know I should quit, it isn't good for me, yada yada yada. Still, I feel satisfied by them. I gave up my food, not ready to give up my filthiest of habits yet. Someday I will. As for today... light me up!

I'm no expert, but my understanding is the surgery itself may be more dangerous if you are a smoker. I haven't heard about it being particularly dangerous after you've been banded.

The other girls who got banded with me the same day said they were told not to smoke (neither of them were smokers) but I wasn't and I did except I was careful not to let the Doctor catch me in case we really weren't supposed to be, but like I said it was never mentioned to me by anyone. I'm not a heavy smoker either - about a pack a week maybe 2.