Hi all,

I have been looking into the gastric sleeve and had my consultation an hour ago.

The surgeon informed me of having to stop smoking forever. I have an addiction to food and also smoking and I am now debating wether or not gastric sleeve surgery is right for me.

For health reasons I know I will be so much better off with the surgery but as I currently look at food as a comforting coping mechanism aswell as my smoking I can’t help but feel like will I think it’s the wrong decision if I do through with the surgery.

Basically what I’m saying is any tips or advice if has anyone else been in the same situation where food is their addiction aswell as smoking and if you regret your decision?

thankyou

Edited November 12, 20214 yr by Livgreen___

Surgery changes your body but does nothing for your brain. Many people see therapists to help address issues regarding addiction and/or using food as a coping mechanism. Personally, surgery has done wonders for my body. My brain is a work in progress and I suspect that will always be the case.

Your question is wise and shows you have insight. My suggestion would be to seek a therapist, preferably one with experience with bariatric patients, for guidance. You have nothing to lose by proceeding slowly to ensure you make the right decision for yourself.

I agree that a bariatric therapist would be helpful to you with or without surgery. The surgery is a tool. The smaller stomach and the decreased hunger hormones help but the head hunger will remain lost surgery and you have to get that under control for this to be the most successful. I am only learning post surgery that I have these issues so I am now doing the work that you can do pre surgery and you will be ahead of the game.

2 hours ago, Maisey said:

Your question is wise and shows you have insight. My suggestion would be to seek a therapist, preferably one with experience with bariatric patients, for guidance. You have nothing to lose by proceeding slowly to ensure you make the right decision for yourself.

This is great advice.

@Livgreen___ are you part of a bariatrics program right now? Would meeting with a psych be part of the process? Definitely worth it, or at least do as much research as you can and self-evaluation.

They're going to tell you not to smoke. I've heard of plenty of people that get nicotine tested to make sure they aren't smoking. Some start up again after surgery.

I started looking into surgery four years ago and decided that it wasn't time. I had just entered psychoanalysis and was making progress but was nowhere near mentally or emotionally prepared to "give up" anything. I am a chef so my relationship with food is also economic. I had used food as a comforting crutch. I also used alcohol the way you use smoking.
Through therapy I got to a place where these things were no longer important or issues and my health became more important. I chose to have the surgery four years later and I couldn't be happier with my journey so far. I am enjoying my food more than I EVER have before because of the concentration, savoring and taking in each bite knowing there is only going to be a few of them for each meal.
I will say this. I would say fix your issues first and have surgery second or you will be miserable, you will not be prepared and you may fail. That's just my two cents from experience.

FYI, smoking increases your chances of serious complications after surgery. My surgeon won't even do a surgery if you haven't quit for an extended period of time.

Edited November 13, 20214 yr by Astonishing Mr J

I would honestly take a stay on the surgery and prioritise quitting smoking and getting bariatric therapy - then see about surgery. I'm a ex-smoker (and I was a HEAVY chain smoker for most of my adult life), and had quit two years prior to surgery. My surgeon is ADAMANT that I never touch the stuff again, or be around passive smoking because of the high risk of developing ulcers in my new stomach joins.

And I have already had a bout of ulcers at my stoma join due to stomach acid, and it is truly unpleasant. So that risk has really bolstered my resolve to never go near tobacco again.

It took me a good ten years to quit (cigarettes were my emotional crutch), on again off again until the nicotine patches no longer worked. I instead went to my doctor and was put on Champix. The nausea was a great deterrent and I threatened myself with another round if I touched another ciggie. Worked a treat and finally saw me quit properly. Might be worth considering if you're ready to give them the flick.

When I decided to have the surgery I was a "50% quit, but I vape as a replacement" smoker, and over the 6 months leading up to the surgery I was able to completely quit combustable cigarettes and was on 100% nicotine replacement (which my surgeon was fine with in my case, just no burning tobacco)...it was worth it. I have since went from an all-day chain vaper to a "couple puffs a few times a day" person.

Any kind of inhalable nicotine is going to be putting additional stress on your esophagus and the sphincter that separates it from your stomach which can make things like acid reflux worse. You need to quit and be ok with quitting before you proceed with the surgery.