Hi everyone, I had my first class and she stated that you should stop smoking at least 3-6 months before surgery is that true, also how soon can you start back after surgery.......

Why on earth would you start back up?

Many surgeons will not do surgery if you smoke or plan to start again. Smoking and the carbon monoxide and other chemicals in your blood stream hampers healing and you're more likely to get a staple line leak.

I quit before surgery and have no plans on starting back up. I feel so much better.

I hope that you'll reconsider quitting with the intention of starting again.

Thank u for your response but I should be clear I'm not talking about cigarettes and I plan on stopping soon and who knows I may not start back.....

Edited January 26, 201412 yr by Rebellious Butterfly

I quit smoking cigarettes in December and have no plans on going back to it! I live in Colorado and recreational is legal here. I have never really enjoyed getting high, but I actually thought about it when I quit smoking just to have that sensation of inhaling again...I decided against it. Mainly, I want my lungs to be healthy and to not pick up another addiction when I will be trying to beat to others (nicotine and food)

If you are in Colorado or Washington, I would suggest edibles...no lung damage, no smoke entering the system. Or perhaps a vaporizer which may be less toxic to your lungs

But I would also suggest really looking at your smoking and making certain you aren't switching one problem for another. I know I will be doing that with my drinking...When I learned that I wouldn't be able to drink after surgery I got a little panicked...which made me realize that I may need to look at why and how much I drink. I am not an alcoholic, but I do think I can use alcohol much like I use food...to numb and ignore yucky feelings. Surgery, for me, is a tool to not only lose weight and get my health back, but it is also an opportunity to figure some stuff out...really face how and why I got here in the first place, which means not replacing food with nicotine or booze or weed.

Best of luck!

Edited January 26, 201412 yr by SparkleCat

I quit smoking cigarettes a year ago and I stopped smoking the other stuff 2 weeks before surgery and resumed 2-3 weeks afterwards.

I quit smoking 10 years ago. I'm 2 months out and now I'm back smoking cross addiction I guess. I hate it. The smell, the taste, everything. Working on quitting now.

I quit my affair with the Marlboro man 3 weeks ago since surgery is tomorrow for me. I could smoke one the size of Texas right now tho lol.....I have no intentions of starting back now that I'll need that money to buy all new clothes!!! As far as the other, my profession keeps me from that too.

Thank you everyone for you reply.....I have decided to stop smoking my little funny cigarettes because I do want my lungs to be at their best before and after surgery.....

I asked my nurse and she said 10 days for weed.

I don't know if its wise to get the munchies with such a small stomach. (I'm not a smoker of anything but I've heard of munchies)

Sunkissed, you are not wrong there. But the tools you use to combat head hunger are just as effective with the munchies. Essentially the two impulses are the same. Its a question of awareness.

I asked my nurse and she said 10 days for weed.

thank u so much, I have stopped and most likely I want start again at least I hope.......

I don't know if its wise to get the munchies with such a small stomach. (I'm not a smoker of anything but I've heard of munchies)

I was wondering about the munchies, I have just stopped because I want my heart and lungs at their best also I don't want to start a new life of being healthy with a bad habit......dde01

Edited February 4, 201412 yr by Rebellious Butterfly

There are lots of ways to help with the munchies!

I probably would avoid smoking while you're healing just because you don't want to put your stomach through anything crazy in case you DO overeat.

I tend to look go for easy to make, filling, low call foods when I have the munchies. Most of the time you just want flavor in your mouth or something to much on, it doesn't have to be doritos lol!

I actually like making one of the recipes from my pre-op surgery (with a small twist) which was a chicken broth Soup. 1 Bullion cube, spices of your choice (I use all natural adobo, paprika, a pinch of salt, a dot of olive oil, boil and stir). It's barely any calories (maybe 10-15 cal?), and when you are high it tastes like it came from a restaurant.

Another thing I like to do is baby carrots or celery with hummus or some Peanut Butter, just make sure to portion out while still sober

I also like taking frozen fruits and throwing into my blender to make gelato The #1 thing is to make sure you make smart choices before you smoke and if you're with friends explain your situation, and ask them to help you out if they catch you over eating. I've also written letters to my high self while sober As long as you're responsible before hand, you should be fine

i was never told to stop smoking before my op the anaesthetist had a massive go at me 3 hours before my op though lol

the day after my op i asked my doc about it and he said one thing at a time just get on with this and recovering and if i feel i am ready to give up smoking then we can talk about that and any help i need.

needless to say i still smoke to this day!

had i been told to give up or else and stopped for a month or so i wouldn;t of taken it up again sometimes i wish i had that kick up the butt to do it because i am one mean s.o.b when i try and give up and had horrible reactions to several replacement products.

I have smoked for many years and I smoked 2 days after my surgery. It helped a lot with nausea and pains! surprisingly & luckily I do not get the munchies at all! I made sure to take very small hits so I wouldn't cough. It hasn't caused any ill effects or stopped my losing. I'm 8 weeks out and down 62 lbs since surgery