Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Any smokers out there?



Recommended Posts

I'm smoke free for 22 days today. My doctor won't perform my surgery until I've been off the cigarettes for at least 4 weeks. The first time I "quit" -- it lasted for 3 1/2 years. Then one day I was under a lot of stress and decided "just one will be okay" -- that was 3 years ago, and now I know that "just one" will NEVER BE OKAY. I had gotten to where I would go weeks without thinking about them. It seems that all that hard work went down the tubes. Well, now I'm back to being smoke free . . . and it's just as hard as the first time. I'm on the patch, and that has helped tremendously.

Some doctor's will do the surgery whether you smoke or not, and others won't. I do know that smoking will make the healing process slower, and it can cause complications with the surgery (excessive bleeding). I was on the road to quitting, and this was just the "straw that broke the camels back" when it came to making up my mind. I'm glad I quit, and I'm glad I'm getting the band. Both of those things will make my life healthier and happier.

Good luck to you, I won't lie, it's going to be hard, but you can do it!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My surgeon wouldnt do it unless I quit smoking. I used the patch, the first couple of days are bad but it got much easier as time went on. I was smoke-free for 9 months and then bam.... started again and it is just amazing at how quickly you are right back to the amount you were smoking before you quit....I will give it another shot one of these days. I was also told that smokers do not come out of the anesthesia as well so I guess if you are not going to quit, you should let them know - for your own saftey.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I graduated from High Shool on June 9th 1968 and quit smoking Cigarettes on June 10th 68.

Went into the Milatary and took up a pipe. Was going to go back to Cigs but didn't want the enemy catching site of the red glow on end of cig so I started a pipe. Figured what the heck They'd never see the red glow at the bottom of the bowl from a plane.

Came home from Nam in 1972 in time to go to funeral of an uncle who died of tongue cancer and he smoked a pipe for 39 yrs. On way home from cemetery I rolled down car window and tossed out a beautiful pipe I had purchased in Hong Kong. Got stopped by a cop and issued for littering. Oh well.

Decided to take up cigars two years later and just before I got married my future wife told me that between farting and the damn cigars I could really stink up a room. So since farting is more natural and of cousre fun I gave up the cigars.

Everytime I get into a smoked filled room I really have to fight the urge but I have for all these years.

Bungy jumping, smoking, riding in car without seat belt and getting married can all end a man's live early. So far I survived smoking, no seat belt and 32 yrs of marriage. I WILL NEVER BUNGY JUMP.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

As someone who tried to quit a few times and always went back to it, i think the reason we fail is because someone tells us to quit and we really don't want to. I didn't. I still don't after being smoke free for 1 yr 5 months and 4 days ( give or take!) I had the 2x4 upside the head with blood clots in both lungs and a 4 day hospital stay. Dr said smoke and die and after 4 days without, it seemed kind of silly to restart ( and die!). I did tell my dr i would start smoking again on my 90 th birthday and she told me to live a little and start on my 89th! Hopefully, by then i will no longer want to! My dh still smokes but is polite about it and doesn't smoke in the house or car and has cut down quite a bit. I can't say i don't miss smoking sometimes but most times i find the smell awful now. Good luck to all who are trying! Don't be too hard on yourselves it is possible!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      Four days post surgery. I am sipping as fast as I can and getting NO WHERE near the goal of 60 - 80 grams of protein or the 64 oz of liquids. I just feel FULL. I don't know if it can still be the gas build up (I would think by now that would be gone) but it is a struggle to drink. And so far I have not had the nausea or spasms and don't want to wander into that territory by pushing too hard with liquids. I about passed out today as it was my most "strenuous" day. Went from second story to basement for shower and I was sure I was going to pass out. Looking back on my last few days I have had a total of less than 1000 calories. Am I just not getting enough nourishment in me? Once again a friday where I can't get ahold of the doc until Monday rolls back around so I am hoping maybe someone here has some experience on how to keep energy going. I do have fibromyalgia too and that may be where some added fatigue comes into play. How did you all fair with the goals the week after surgery?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 3 replies
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

      2. Selina333

        I'm in Houston so kind of near you and had the sleeve in Dec. Down 61 lbs. Feeling better. Was definitely worth it. I hope the everything is going well for you. Update us when you can!

      3. Doughgurl

        I am back home after my bypass surgery in Tiajuana. I'm post op day 4. Everything went great! I guess I'm one of the lucky ones who have not encountered much pain at all, no nausea thus far and I'm having no problem keeping down broths and water. Thank you for your well wishes. I cant wait to keep up this journey and have a chance at better health and simply better quality of life. I know there will be bumps in the road ahead, and everything won't be peaches and cream, but at least I have a great start so far. 😍

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×