Smoking cigerettes?

[Jnette 9]

Post op since April 15th. I started smoking again. Besides normal reason smoking is bad for you- will it effect the weightloss or cause any problems because I really don't want to quit again right now

[Harley59 67]

My doctor told me that the nicotine in your blood stream will cause small ulcers around the incision sites and eventually a leak and/or ulcer. They won't be able to repair it because of it's small size already. It would be very intense to try and fix. That is why he actually checks peoples nicotine levels before surgery. I do understand about the smoking but I wanted the surgery and weight loss more then that butt. Good luck

[Jnette 9]

I quit before surgery and stayed off them until just this week. I'm 2 months out. Like isn't the stapled area already healed by now?

[Harley59 67]

My understanding is that the area is weakened - and it's the nicotine that does the damage and not having plenty of oxygen in the red blood cells to help with healing. We are not all healed. Just look at your outside scars. Believe me I really understand. I have come so close to picking one up and knowing it won't be just one. I hope you stop again. You put a lot of work into all of this. Again - good luck.

[Jnette 9]

Crap your right my outside scars are still red and sensitive. I didn't think of it like that. Dang I love smoking almost as much as how I used to love food lol thanks for sharing that info. I'm done with cigs I didn't go through all this to mess it up now I'm just past the hump. Thanks again!

[gottagonow 82]

It's not worth it. I won't do the preachy thing as I am sure you heard it all before. But think about this major surgery as a beginning of healthier living.

We were told that those who have WLS. often turn to alcohol (once permitted) b/c food was an addiction that the stomach does not allow. She did not say smoking b/c technically nobody should per their understanding, but I found it interesting that they've seen alcoholism with WLS and that addiction factor b/c you mentioned the need to smoke is similar to your old need to eat.

[Easterli 12]

Smoking will definitely case problems for you. Besides the effect of the nicotine on a much smaller stomach, smoking interferes with the healing process. I smoke - when I had my breast reduction the incisions took about four times longer to heal. I had a pocket that would not close- you could put most of your finger in it, it was so deep. My husband had to pack the wound full of gauze every day for many weeks. I start my preop diet tomorrow - no more cigarettes for me. I won't go through that ever again. I love to smoke, but it is not worth it.

[Scylla 106]

I would be honest and ask your doctor. I quit smoking over 17 years ago when I was pregnant with my first child, but before that I quit and re-started more times than I can count! I'm sure that it also the case with many people after surgery. I know it's the case with friends of mine who quit smoking for pregnancy and then started smoking again after the baby was born or after they stopped nursing.

Chances are after two months your incisions are pretty well healed, but I think you should see what your surgeon says about it. Good luck!

[RayJunCayJun 41]

I don't want to sound preachy either, I quit cold turkey in January because I had enough of being a prisioner to a freakin cigarette.

But listen you only "think" you love it because you are getting your nicoitne fix when you smoke, you think it makes you feel good (why you think you love it)

Right now that nicotine monster has control over you- wouldn't you rather YOU have control over your own mind?

Contrary to popular belief nicotine does not relieve stress it create stress, think about how stressed you get when you can't smoke or how stressed you get when you only have one or two left in a pack.

One last thing- when you smoke you can't smell just how bad you stink but non-smokers can and let me tell you it's much worse than you think.

Enjoy your journey, I promise it does get easier!