I have been doing my research and I see that some people are required to take a nicotine test before surgery. I am currently a smoker, not a pack a day but none the less a smoker and it is a battle for me because when I try to quit , my weight increases dramatically then become stressed out and go back to smoking. My question is if I stop smoking and start chewing the cessation gum a month prior to surgery will I be denied because of weight gain during the pre-op diet phase, and because I have nicotine in my system from either the patch or the gum ? Has anyone had to overcome this obstacle ?

Smoking is such an addictive habit and is so hard to overcome. I have heard that surgeons are concerned about general addictive behavior. If you are addicted to cigarettes, they feel you may be addicted to food and may not be successful with WLS. While it's not easy to quit, it is one of the behaviors you have control over. We can't control our genes and we have to eat to survive but you don't need to smoke to live. My aunt used a prescription drug to help her quit. She was amazed that in just three days her senses of taste and smell were so much better.she needed less salt and she could smell her roses. Ultimately it's up to you to take control of your life and this might be the best way to start the journey. Good luck.

Smoking also increases risk of ulcers in pouch is main reason not to smoke. Quitting was the hardest thing. I used prescription Chantix to quit, but it takes 30 days or round about to work. I am 8 weeks smoke free.

Curious to know , are your doctor's US or Mexico ?

My dr said no smoking for atleast 2 months. I was a two pack a day smoker and i want this surgery so bad i quit. I used a ecig with zero nicotine to help. I am a few weeks out. So hard! I actually lost some weight shocker!!

Mine is US Dr