I want to quit smoking preferably to help the healing process with my band. Also obviously for health reasons because what would be the point of losing weight and getting healthy and then becoming sick from cigarettes? Anyway... Just wondering if it's a good idea beforehand (I want to quit like 2 weeks before) or is it going to amplify the food addiction I am also trying to kick?

Thank you for your condolences ladies that means a lot I am at a place now (about 14 months from the date of his passing) that I have learned to accept and live and prosper in his memory. This is part of the reason I work in the hospital's postpartum unit. And a huge reason why I am getting the band in the first place. I want to create a healthy me for any future children I may have. I want to decrease as much risk as I possibly can. To B-52, that is exactly what I was wondering but I think it may be worth a shot. If I see myself unable to quit both, I will choose the weight loss and the band over the smoking, at least until I have a better hold on my food addiction.

Oh, Wendy. (((Hug))) My heart aches for you, Love. I admire your strength and your determination to get healthier, live a better life for yourself and perhaps future children. You can do this, you have it in you, you have already proven it. You go, girl. <3

Thank you <3 it hasn't been an easy road but if I can overcome the grief and depression from that and turn it into a positive, then I sure as heck can beat my food and nicotine addictions!

I'm a non-smoker, but my doctor was adamant that I not smoke, drink alcohol, or drink caffeine for 2 weeks before, and 8 weeks after surgery.

In his opinion, nicotine, caffeine, and alcohol can irritate the site where the band is placed, and can interfere with healing after. He said that most of his band slippages are in people who drink, smoke, or drink caffeine within the few weeks after surgery.

This was in some of the literature I was given too.