My surgeon got on me the other day because he smelled a cigar I had. I am trying to get sleeved in late may or June pending insurance ap. I do not smoke cigs but I enjoy a cigar . So I bought a electronic cigar the other day Anyone know anything about these or the e-cigs ? Are they okay or not? I did some research on line but can't find if they are much safer than a real one.

my doctor says no tobacco at all in any form, he even does a blood test to see if you are cheating, my insurance company also will not pay if you smoke or drink

I'm an ex-smoker of cigarettes, and I encourage you to quit. I'm sure you've heard plenty of lectures, so I'll spare you.

As Mickey said, lots of surgeons will test you for nicotine to make sure you've quit. It will slow down your recovery and make you way more susceptible to post-op complications, like blood clots - which could easily kill you, even MONTHS after surgery.

Try to embrace this change for a new, healthy lifestyle by giving it up completely. But if you can't do that long-term, you simply HAVE to give it up in the short term for this surgery.

Try the e-cigs if you reallllly have to have a cigar a month (or much longer, if you can) post-op. You'll really do yourself a favor if you quit, tho. (maybe this did turn into a QUIT SMOKING lecture, after all. sorry bout that! lol)

They do make nicotine-free e-cigs. The testing they do to make sure you've quit is looking for nicotine, so that might work if you absolutely have to have something to puff on.

Good luck!