I know that smoking isn't good for you, but, I do it anyways. I want to quit and have tried to but with 3 other adults in the house with me smoking, it makes it very hard to do so. I have made up my mind that I am going to quit and plan on getting the patches or something to help me quit but I wont be able to do it until the beginning of next yr. Anyways, I was just wondering, does smoking affect the band by making it tighter than normal or does anyone know?

Don't know that I've ever heard anybody say that smoking has any impact on their bands. BUT, I've heard quite a few people who have been told by their surgeons that they must quit smoking pre-surgery. Smoking dramatically slows healing processes so that's the logic behind it. Many people have even had to take a nicotine test to get their surgeries.

Just curious???.....I just read your bandster profile, and I see that you where banded on 8/18/08. Is that correct? And if so... have you smoked during this entire journey? Before and after????

My surgeon clearly tells everyone at the begining seminar, that he will not operate on anyone who smokes. I never asked why..because I dont smoke.

I have a friend who is trying to get this surgery done, and her doctor will not move forward with anything until she quits smoking. She refuses to quit. So her surgery is not scheduled.

Don't know that I've ever heard anybody say that smoking has any impact on their bands. BUT, I've heard quite a few people who have been told by their surgeons that they must quit smoking pre-surgery. Smoking dramatically slows healing processes so that's the logic behind it. Many people have even had to take a nicotine test to get their surgeries.

I smoked before my surgery and my Doctor knew it. He never told me that if I did not stop smoking he would not go through with the operation. He just explained to me that smoking does slow the healing process and said that it would be a good idea to quit before having it done. I did not have one the day of my operation and for 2 months after that. I know I was stupid for picking one up after 2 months but everyone around me kept smoking. I know that that isn't a really good excuse, but at the time it was for me.

I know it has to be hard.. I wish you the best of luck with quitting.

I know it has to be hard.. I wish you the best of luck with quitting.

thank you very much

I dont smoke any more I quit 2 years ago. I used to smoke 2 1/2 packs a day. It was the hardest thing I ever had to do. Even harder than this weightloss journey. If I can do it so could anyone. I still to this day miss it. I think a dr should tell people the risks about smoking and what could happen but to not do the surgery because a person smokes in my opinion is a bit much. Its our bodies.

I was told not to smoke after midnight the day of surgery and I didn't. Smoked on the way home from surgery. I have not had any problems. I became a bandster one week ago today.

I am also a smoker and was banded on Aug 10th. I was told by my surgeon to stop or he wouldn't do the surgery - I tried but didn't succeed. I told him during my preop appt that I would - this was only a few days prior to surgery; wasn't my intent but, I lied.

So far I haven't experienced any problems, I smoke about 7-9 cigs a day, much less on days that I exercise.

I plan to stop; however, if I want to continue on the path of at least eating right, I'll deal with this vice later.

One step at a time...