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Well i have to admit i was a smoker since the age of 40 yrs i was asked to cut out smoking prior to my lapband surgery and the week before i did virtually stop smoking, i used Patches and a plastic cigarette. I knew that there were increased risks with surgery and the to be honest the most dangerous side effect of smoking and surgery is DVT u are far more prone to it as a smoker, also coughing afterwards hurts like hell .. but i got through it fine, i am not advocating smoking and a lapband as it obviously is better that u dont smoke, i could not give up just because someome told me too, i have to do it for myself, smoking helped me lose all the weight i did , but i will not be an advocate for smoking.

Fast forward to this year, i knew i would be having extensive cosmetic surgery to remove all my excess skin, so it was no shock when the plastic surgeon said no way will she do this surgery while i still smoke, i agreed to give up smoking .. i had to be smoke free 1 month before surgery and 13 weeks ago i gave up smoking using Champix and 11 weeks ago was my last cigarette. I was 11 hours in surgery and i know that i recovered as well as i did because of not smoking.

I had so much weight to lose i didnt think i could give up smoking and eating at the same time and it hasnt been easy even after i lost all the weight to give up, but now i have and it feels so much better. Dont get me wrong i still miss smoking but i know i cant afford it health wise or money wise a pack of cigarettes in the UK will cost u at least $12 per 20 ... give it up if can its worth it in the long run :)

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I smoked up until the day before my surgery and then quit for about six months, I found myself starting up again after some bad stress in my life. So far I havent had any complications but I know this isnt good either.

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I smoke been trying so hard 2 stop I want the surgery more than anything but ciggs r so hard 2 put down

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SO I FINALLY HAD A CHANCE TO MEET THE SURGEON TODAY, AND I SAT THRU THE SEMINAR...PRETTY COOL...I REALLY LIKE THE DOCTOR, I'M FEEL REALLY COMFORTABLE WITH HIM SO FAR...BUT HE DID MENTION THAT HE WILL NOT DO THE SURGERY IF I SMOKE CIGARETTES...NOW I KNOW THEY ARE NOT HEALTHY AND I DO EVENTUALLY WANT TO STOP, BUT THE TRUTH IS: ITS EASIER SAID THAN DONE...AND IF YOU ARE A SMOKER YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN..NOW I CAN SEE MYSELF SLOWING DOWN AT FIRST AND WORKING TOWARDS QUITTING, BUT TO JUST UP AND STOP WILL PROBABLY DRAW ME BACK EVEN QUICKER AND I'LL PROBABLY SMOKE MORE...ANYWAY..HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD A PROBLEM WITH SMOKING AND BEING BANDED, OR BEING APPROVED FOR SURGERY AND BEING A SMOKER??? I GUESS I NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT SMOKING CIGARETTES CONFLICTING WITH GETTING BANDED... :unsure:

You have to quit smoking! I have had doctors say that your healing process is slower (for any surgery) and you have a higher chance for infection in your incisions when you smoke. I used to smoke 2 packs a day (sometimes more depending on the day) and belive me it was probably the hardest thing I have ever done. I loved smoking, but you have to stop and ask yourself what those cigarettes are doing for you besides costing money and making you sick. And think, if you can quit smoking you can prove to yourself that you have the discipline it takes to stick with the diet requirements this band requires. Trust me, I know how much it sucks to quit. Do you have a smoking cessation clinic nearby? They do help, and a lot of insurance companies will pay for it. Best wishes to you whatever you decide in your future.

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I stopped smoking 30 years ago, Newports, and never wanted to start back up. Now last year I came across an electronic cigarette and tried it for fun. Went home and researched them and I decided to try one for oral gradtification to stop snacking so much. There is on nicotine, no harsh chemical, no odor, does not set off fire alarms and if you get the right type, which I will tell you the best out there since I have tried many, you will get the vapor and cigarette hit you need to satisfy you. I have 4 friend I turned on to this who stopped cigarette smoking and now do the e-cigs and they smoke less. You can sneak in the bathroom and puff. There are types that look like a cigarette, but one that will satisfy you the most is a larger device that holds a charge longer, vapor Fluid longer and does not leak like the other do. Remember the one that does not look like a cigarette but satisfies is the best choice if you are going to spend the money because if you get the wrong one, you will not stop and get agrevated by the maintence of th wrong ecig. However, this is a way to stop or to keep smoking the electronic way. I did stop 2 weeks before surgery and had my husband hide my kit until I feel I am totaly healed because the air is still not good in your pouch and i will try it again in 3=4months down the line. The main reason you may want to try this is to quit and not get the toxin in your body. Once those toxin have been replaced with the motion of hand to mouth movement, visual vapor that looks like smoke and the nicotine buss you get from smoking, you are on your way to stop smoking to prepare for surgery. If you get it, tell your doctor you stopped and use this device to stop because you are eliminating the toxins. But you should/must stop 2-3 weeks before surgery and it will be easier to stop because you do not have all the other toxins in your system. After you get the device, do not go to a cigarette. My friend at my old temp job, started the ecig by trying mine and she used it for a week, did not use it that much because she could use it any time so the desire to use it was minimal because the toxins were not there. 1 week later, she left her ecig in her office and came outside after lunch to the smoking area with her friends and she smoked a reg cigarette and felt dizzy and did not like it. She said that made her realize how she will continue with her ecigs and has not started back again. She even smokes in her office now. She takes a puff and puts it on her desk. If you are interested send me a private message and an email so I can send you the information on the email. In fact anyone who wants to stop or not give up the smoking experience but the toxins. Obama, Letterman and others use this to stop, but getting higher nicotine and you can go down to 0 nicotine and stop all together or just use this device going forward.

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I am a non smoker and lost many dad to them, and now in the process of losing mome to them. So I always beg people to quit. So horrible to watch someone (especially a parent) slowly choke to death......

That being said, in Maine the doctor will insist you quit, and they check your oxygen levels weekly through out the six month process.

I assume it also had to do with your breathing after the band. You do not burp the same and air moves through your body differently. Smoking must also further inhibit this.

Plus if you have a tumor from that inn your lungs or airway I imagine you're breathing will be seriously effected.

Just because you do not physically see or feel a problem smoking with the band does not mean you are not seriously harming yourself.

You can hide the smoking from your doctor, but it is only your loss.... why start on this journey cheating????

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I smoke. I have the band. I told my surgeon I smoked and while he prefers I quit he just told me to make sure I let the anestheologist know before surgery. I did. I had a perfect surgery. No complications. I healed fine and have been rather successful.

I know I need to quit. Just like I knew I needed to lose weight. And I will.. and it will be cold turkey when I am ready. Just like it was when I gave up carbonation and everything else I have given up for the band. And I will be successful but on my timetable not someone elses or not for something.

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I was banded yesterday and I smoke I never told my surgeon that I smoke. It seems like that is the only easy thing right now is to smoke instead of eating. I'm wondering if you smokers smoked after surgery and continued to smoke or used the patch to quit. this is my next to do on my list (quiting smoking) but right now its getting me thorough.

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I know it is hard to stop smoking. I suggest you go to the electronic cigarettes and there are many kinds, and i have had 3 different types and the one i ended up is not the one that looks like a cigarette, because after 2 ecigs that were not worth it or satisfying i did find once that has a long battery life, and does not leak, and has a good hit and a lot of vapor (smoke simulation of ecig). I stopped my ecig 2 weeks before surgery and had my husband hide it and i amd now 7 weeks without it. I smoked 30 years ago and started this ecig to curve my snacking, and stress which is worked but i was still eating badly. If you want to learn more about this, send me a private message on this site and i will give you the ecig that is the best. I have 3 friends who have quit smoking on this and are still using it and smoke (vaporing) less. I put some linkes at the bottom, email at mjsisco@verizon.net if you need help ordering. I told my doctor i stopped the ecig, but i kept on until 2 weeks prior. I do plan on getting back to it after my fill on the 19th if i need it. Go on youtub and research the joye ego-c kits and they will show you how to do it.

Joye Ego-C Starter Kit (1000mah)

$79.99

Read more: Ovale Ego C http://www.esmokeron...l#ixzz26GY4KtpL

the liquid which makes the vapor is cheap and below is the link to get the Newport flavor and you would want the 24mg strength for more hit with your vapor.

Nport VG 30Ml (VG is the type you want for the eliquid)

$12.99

You Save: $2.00

Average customer rating

Read more: E-Liquid (30Ml) VG | eSmoker Online http://www.esmokeron...l#ixzz26GYVdgKr

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I know how hard it is to quit. I quit 4 mths ago with the gum. I am still chewing the gum. Not ready to give that up. I think I might have to once I have the surgery though. I have always been a gum chewer. I also have to give up my diet coke :( I rather been thin and healthy though!

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I was a social and occasional smoker before my surgery in February. I'm 20 and would smoke when I was hanging out with friends or stressing out. Maybe 3-4 cigarettes a week?

Anyways, my doctor asked before surgery if I was a smoker and I said sometimes. But when he said I had to stop, I did. And like my doctor did, some doctors WILL urine test you on your surgery day.

So to anyone who smokes and is afraid of what the doctor will say, think about this: Would you rather quit and suffer through quitting, or be all prepped and excited for surgery only to be turned away on the day of surgery because you had to have a cigarette?

Not trying to "bag" on anybody who smokes and I'm sure it's hard to quit if you are a heavier smoker than I was, and I know everybody's surgeon is different, but just something to think about for those who have a doctor who is strict on smoking. And he didn't tell me before my surgery that he was going to urine test me the day of, so I'm just lucky that I listened to his orders! : )

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I smoked for 22 years!!!...i had to quit 6 weeks b4 surgery and I did really well with the chantix...2 weeks b4 surgery I freaked out started smoking again..the coordinator said I would be tested the day of surgery..but they never...i smoked in the car on the way home WORST pain of my life I'm 7 days post-op and back on chantix and using a electronic ciggarett if I really can't fight the craving..i know it's really hard when they take food and smoking away at the same time and expect u to lose weight but I can do it..I've lost 26lbs since surgery!!

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To Sarah75,

i used ecig up to 2 weeks before surgery, want to get back to them it calms my nerves. I smoked 30 years ago and started the ecig because of snacking and stress and when i smoked i did not eat as much and i did the ecig during my pre op and lost 25 pounds in2 months. if you are interesteding in my research as to the best ecig out there, write me at mjsisco@verizon.net

I have tried 3 different kind and did the you tube research and found one that stays charged longer, holds more vaporing liquid does not leak and the atomizer last twice as long.

How are you feeling with your ecig after surgery and how many weeks after surgery did you start your ecigs. I want to start back, and i am on my 7th week post op

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I used ecigs to quit smoking. I had tried gum, the patch, even Chantix and failed miserably. Finally, 16 months ago, I used Prosmoke ecigs to quit smoking. It's the only thing that's ever worked for me. I used the ecigs for about 2 months before giving them up completely too.

Quitting wasn't easy. I smoked almost 2 packs a day for about 20 years (except during 2 pregnancies, I quit during both and started again after)

But I have to tell you, I absolutely love being a nonsmoker now. It's mildly humorous but I've become the type of person that I seriously disliked when I was a smoker. I can't stand the stink of cigarette smoke, and even if I'm outside, if a smoker lights up near me I will complain loudly and immediately. If I even pass a smoker in a store, I cringe, because their clothes stink so bad they reek like an ashtray even when not actively smoking. In retrospect, I can't believe I spent two decades of my life smelling so horrible.

Then there's the health benefits. Weight loss or not, I know if I hadn't quit smoking there's no way I'd be walking 2 miles a day right now. I'd have been way too winded and out of breath to walk even half that amount. Currently, my grandma is dying of lung cancer. She's had emphysema for years and now she has inoperable spots of cancer on her lungs. I only hope that I quit soon enough that I don't suffer her fate one day.

Quitting sucks but it's so worth it. You owe it to yourselves to quit. I mean, you're willing to go through surgery to lose weight, so why not quit smoking and truly get healthy?

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To Sarah75' date='

i used ecig up to 2 weeks before surgery, want to get back to them it calms my nerves. I smoked 30 years ago and started the ecig because of snacking and stress and when i smoked i did not eat as much and i did the ecig during my pre op and lost 25 pounds in2 months. if you are interesteding in my research as to the best ecig out there, write me at mjsisco@verizon.net

I have tried 3 different kind and did the you tube research and found one that stays charged longer, holds more vaporing liquid does not leak and the atomizer last twice as long.

How are you feeling with your ecig after surgery and how many weeks after surgery did you start your ecigs. I want to start back, and i am on my 7th week post op[/quote']

I started the ecig 3 days after surgery...I'm only 8 days post-op..I deff smoke less then I would if it was a regular cigarette

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